Frequency of sessions: This may change depending on the topic and activities in the week, but it will largely average out as one session a week.  However, there are plenty of additional opportunities given throughout the school year for children to develop their RE skills according to special events in the RE calendar.

Religious Education is a statutory requirement, but it is not part of the National Curriculum.  Schools in Northamptonshire follow the SACRE agreed syllabus, which we base all our learning on.    

The agreed syllabus for RE in Northamptonshire is called 'Growing Together' and is the responsibility of the local authority.

Intent

At Deanshanger Primary School, we believe that it is important for all of our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. The aims of Religious Education in our school are to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour; to develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgments about religious and moral issues; and to enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Religious Education plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHE, in promoting social awareness and understanding in our children. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. We include and promote British values, ensuring that children are aware of their rights and responsibilities as UK citizens.

Implementation

In EYFS, RE is taught mainly through learning about a range of religious festivals. It is also touched upon through the Early Learning Goal of ‘Understanding the World: People, Culture and Communities’. In Years 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, children are taught the equivalent of 30 mins RE each week, although it is at the teacher’s discretion as to how this is completed. In Year 2, children have a weekly RE lesson lasting one hour. The teaching of RE at Deanshanger Primary School follows the Local Authority’s statutory SACRE guidance. SACRE stands for Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education; this is based on DfE non-statutory guidance (2010). 

Where possible, we invite in visitors from different faiths to talk to the children and allow open questioning; we also plan trips to enrich learning. We have close links with Holy Trinity church here in Deanshanger, and a team share half-termly ‘Open the Book’ assemblies.

Impact

We believe our RE curriculum will give our children a better understanding of the religions that make up the UK landscape and how they can learn from and work alongside each other to create community cohesion. All children will be more informed about their position in the world, and the decisions they can make impacting their future. All children in school will be able to talk confidently about their well-being, moral and cultural development for the society in which they live. The RE curriculum will promote inquisitive minds, respect, tolerance and understanding for all those around them, including themselves. The impact will be seen by all teachers and children enjoying the experience of teaching and learning RE and understanding how it can help them in their future.