Our Religious Education (RE) curriculum is based on the new Gloucestershire curriculum designed by Gloucestershire SACRE, which has been developed using a religion and worldviews approach. This reflects current research in RE and supports pupils to explore religion and belief in a way that is thoughtful, broad and relevant to modern life.

Children will study a range of religious traditions and non-religious worldviews, with learning structured around ways of knowing and how pupils study RE. This means that pupils do not only learn factual information, but also develop the skills to ask questions, consider different perspectives, reflect on evidence and think carefully about how beliefs are expressed in practice.

Where appropriate to the lesson, local data will be used to reflect the context of our school within Gloucestershire, helping pupils to make meaningful connections between their learning and the community around them.

Curriculum Aims

The Gloucestershire RE curriculum has three key aims:

• To understand how religious and non-religious worldviews influence people’s lives
• To engage with religious and non-religious worldviews in thoughtful ways
• To understand themselves and others, and to develop a better understanding of their own personal worldview

What Children Will Study

Throughout Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6), children will study:

• Christians
• Hindus
• Muslims
• Jews
• Non-religious worldviews, such as those of Humanists

The curriculum aims to emphasise the fluidity of lived religions and the fact that practice can differ within religious groups. Children will recognise that there are often different valid answers to questions, and that individuals and communities within the same tradition may hold varying beliefs and practices. This reflects modern Britain and promotes mutual respect for all.

Curriculum Structure

The National Statement of Entitlement provides the basis for teaching and learning within the Gloucestershire RE curriculum. These strands are woven together across the curriculum so that children investigate and engage with different aspects of each religion and worldview, including:

• Beliefs and teachings
• Practices and rituals
• Ways of living
• Belonging and identity
• Moral and ethical perspectives
• Expressions of faith and worldview in everyday life

Our Approach

RE is taught in a way that encourages pupils to:

• Develop accurate knowledge and understanding
• Explore beliefs and practices respectfully
• Compare similarities and differences across traditions
• Reflect on their own ideas and experiences
• Listen to and value the views of others

To help us deliver the curriculum well, we are using Oak National Academy resources alongside our own carefully planned lessons and activities.

Statutory Information

Please read Appendix 1 for more information on your child’s statutory and legal rights to a religious education.