Key Stage 1
Religious Education
Religious Education is taught throughout the school, in line with the Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus. It is our aim to show the children how:
- we behave affects other people.
- our behaviour is an important issue.
- our behaviour is influenced by our attitudes.
- our attitudes are influenced by our beliefs.
RE is an opportunity to explore the beliefs, values and attitudes that guide us through life through the exploration of the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life using some of the world religions.
In key stage 1 the pupils explore Christianity and Judaism. They learn about different beliefs about God and the world around them. They encounter and respond to a range of stories, artefacts and other religious materials. They learn to recognise that beliefs are expressed in a variety of ways, and begin to use specialist vocabulary. They begin to understand the importance and value of religion and belief, especially for other children and their families. Pupils ask relevant questions and develop a sense of wonder about the world. They talk about what is important to them and others, valuing themselves, reflecting on their own feelings and experiences and developing a sense of belonging.
Reception
In reception the children look at the following:
- Myself & Other people.
- Celebrations & important experiences.
- How I live & how other people live.
- Exploring belief & Religious stories and what they mean.
- Feeling & expressing our feelings.
- Belonging & important things.
Children enjoy making things in RE. Here reception children are making Divali lamps out of clay.
Year 1
What is it like to belong to a religion?
What makes some occasions special?
What does it mean to be me?
Why are some places special in a religion?
What makes some people especially important to us or others?
Year 2
What makes our world special?
What makes some people especially important to others or us?
What makes story-telling such a good way of teaching?
What makes something special to someone?
Worship
The school holds a daily act of worship for all children in the school, which is broadly Christian in character, as required by the 1998 Education Reform Act. The Headteacher and other members of staff lead these assemblies. The local clergy and other members of the community are sometimes invited to lead a morning assembly. In the assemblies we explore themes such as sharing, caring, 'belonging', as well as multicultural themes such as Christmas, Rosh Hashanah and Divali.
Twice a year each class prepares a class assembly performed in front of the whole school and parents. The assembly is followed by a coffee morning, providing an opportunity for parents to get to know each other.
It should be noted that under section 25 of the 1944 Education Act, parents have the right to withdraw a child from any religious education lesson or assembly based on personal belief or religious grounds. The Headteacher must be informed of this action in advance so that extra supervision can be arranged if necessary away from the learning of religion.