At Jenyns First School we follow The Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education 2023-28 using Jigsaw RE.

Jigsaw RE is an enquiry-based scheme of work, covering the principal world faiths in a progressive way from Early Years to Year 4. In the early years, the learning is closely matched to Development Matters to contribute meaningfully to your child’s holistic development. Throughout all the enquiries, the children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is carefully considered.

Each enquiry lasts for half a term and begins with a “big” question such as “What is the best way for a Christian/Jew/Muslim etc. to show commitment to God?” The children then start discussing the theme of the enquiry (in this case, commitment) from their own experience. What have they shown commitment to? Brownies? Cubs? Their sporting team? Playing an instrument?

Only when the children fully understand the concept they are considering, do they then move on to investigating what the people following the studied religion or worldview believe about it. They will spend approximately 3 lessons on this, learning in a variety of ways, so they can adapt their responses and come to a measured conclusion. In week 5 they will complete an activity which can assess their learning, by answering their “big” question. The assessment activities are child friendly and can be answered in a variety of ways, as long as the child can justify their view with the knowledge they have gained throughout the enquiry. This demonstrates the level of critical thinking that the children can apply – a valuable skill for them throughout the school curriculum.

The final week in every enquiry gives the children time to reflect on what they have learnt about the concept and apply to it their own lives, thus allowing them to form their own beliefs and identity. For example, learning that Sikhs share their food with all who attend has taught me ……… about sharing that I would like to take forward with me. These lessons are often very creative and children have opportunities to make items to express themselves in ways other than just writing.

Jigsaw RE gives schools a choice of which religions to teach in different year groups. Please see our RE Scheme of Work document.

Intent

At Jenyns we aim to provide pupils with knowledge and understanding about principal religions and world views which give life value. Through exploring different faiths and beliefs, the pupils gain understanding and appreciation of different cultures and religions, in an increasingly diverse society.    

They learn how religious beliefs shape our lives and behaviour, and develop enhance our spiritual, moral social and cultural development. RE is not about telling pupils what religious views they should have but rather helps them in gaining shared human understanding, developing personal identity and searching for meaning in the context of evaluating different viewpoints.

The curriculum for Religious Education aims to ensure that all pupils develop knowledge and understanding of sources of wisdom and their impact whilst exploring personal and critical responses

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 children will learn about and from a range of religions.  They will recognise the diversity that exists within and between religions. They will learn about different world views, religious traditions and practices.  They will make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world.

Assessment is carried out through activities for example, discussion with pupils, group activities, marking and guiding their work, observing, displaying work, asking and answering questions.  This information is then recorded against expected learning outcomes for assessment and in line with other areas of the curriculum.