Intent

At Jenyns First School and Nursery, we follow the Herts Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2023–2028. Our teaching is supported by Jigsaw. Our RE curriculum develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews, helping them appreciate different beliefs, cultures and perspectives.

We aim to:

• Develop knowledge of different religions, beliefs and worldviews.
• Explore beliefs and values and how they influence people’s lives.
• Promote respect and empathy, encouraging appreciation of different perspectives.
• Develop critical thinking, enabling pupils to ask questions and form considered responses.
• Support personal development, encouraging reflection on identity, meaning and values.

Through exploring sources of wisdom and different viewpoints, pupils develop their own understanding while learning to respect the beliefs and values of others.

Implementation

In Early Years children will encounter Christianity and religions and beliefs represented in the class, school or local community. Religious Education will support a growing sense of the child’s awareness of self, their own community and their place within this.

In Years 1 and 2 a minimum of three religions are studied. 

In Years 3 and 4 a minimum of four religions are studied. 

We explore eight key areas of learning throughout each key stage to meet the aims of our curriculum (in no particular order). 

Beliefs and practices

Sources of wisdom

Symbols and actions

Prayer, worship and reflection

Identity and belonging

Ultimate questions

Human responsibility and values

Justice and fairness

The teaching of RE will involve some direct teaching and whole class, group, paired or individual activities.  Through a range of strategies, such as: enquiry, exploration, discussion, asking and answering questions, drama and role play, artefacts, visits and visitors of faith and belief, pupils are actively engaged in learning.

Impact

The impact of our RE curriculum is monitored through ongoing formative assessment, including discussion, questioning, observation, group activities and pupils’ work. In Key Stage 2, end-of-unit assessments are also completed to assess pupils’ knowledge and understanding.

The impact of our RE curriculum is evident in pupils who:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews.
• Recognise the diversity within and between religions.
• Understand different religious traditions, beliefs and practices.
• Make connections between their own lives, their community and the wider world.
• Ask questions, reflect on different viewpoints and communicate their own responses respectfully.

PLEASE NOTE: Parents/Carers have the right to withdraw their child from all RE lessons or part of RE lessons.

RE in Action!