Religious Education Subject Intent

The LIFE Primary Religious Education Curriculum is of great importance within our Church of England schools. As stated in the Church of England Statement of Entitlement, religious education in a Church school should enable every child to flourish and to live “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). It will help educate for dignity and respect encouraging all to live well together.

In line with Section 2 79 (1) School Standards and Framework Act, our RE Curriculum ‘promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and of society, and prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life’. The curriculum is based on at least 50% Christianity and covers this with the knowledge that Christianity is a global faith.

The curriculum offers our pupils broad and rich topic coverage, spanning over several of the main world religions whilst also allowing them the opportunity to learn that there are those who do not hold religious beliefs. Alongside religion, children learn about the importance of spirituality and its links across both the curriculum, and their own lives. (See separate spirituality document.)

The LIFE Primary RE Curriculum aims to support pupils to become religiously literate; it provides opportunities for pupils to develop positive attitudes and values and to reflect and relate their learning in RE to their own experience. Through each unit, children will learn about and understand a range of religions and world views (including non-faith world views). They will learn through creative, enquiry-based, theological, philosophical and human and social science approaches. 

The children will study religions via in-depth studies and encounters, regularly applying their knowledge to current affairs and real-world issues. Overall, our curriculum aims to enable our children to hold balanced and well-informed conversations about religion and worldviews.