Intent

At Sundridge & Brasted school, we view R.E as a priority subject; valuing and recognising the incredible opportunity that it allows our children in terms of their holistic development. We also appreciate the important role it plays in reflecting and complementing the school’s Christian values and character.

Across the school, R.E lessons are engaging and challenging, and offer pupils an enquiry-based curriculum, allowing them to not only acquire a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the range of faiths and world views studied throughout their time at primary school, but also encourage critical thinking, personal reflection and a safe space for their own spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. This really helps children to flourish, as they foster their own thoughts, beliefs and opinions and make sense of how and where these fit alongside others in their class, those from different faith groups and those in the wider world.

As stated in the Church of England Religious Education Statement of Entitlement, religious education in this school aims:

• To enable pupils to know about and understand Christianity as a living faith that influences the lives of people worldwide and as the religion that has most shaped British culture and heritage. 

• To enable pupils to know and understand about other major world religions and world views, their impact on society, culture and the wider world, enabling pupils to express ideas and insights. 

• To contribute to the development of pupils’ own spiritual/philosophical convictions, exploring and enriching their own beliefs and values.

As stated in the Church of England Religious Education Statement of Entitlement, appropriate to age at the end of their education in our school, the expectation is that all pupils are religiously literate and as a minimum pupils are able to:

• Give a theologically informed and thoughtful account of Christianity as a living and diverse faith. 
• Show an informed and respectful attitude to religions and world views in their search for God and meaning. 
• Engage in meaningful and informed dialogue with those of other faiths and none. 
• Reflect critically and responsibly on their own spiritual, philosophical and ethical convictions

Implementation

As we are a church school, the Christian faith is at the heart of our R.E curriculum, and using the ‘Understanding Christianity’ resource allows children to engage with theological concepts, ‘big questions’ and deep thinking, in a sequential and explorative way, through a variety of approaches and experiences. Other faiths and world views are taught using a similar approach through the Rochester Diocesan syllabus, with a huge emphasis on developing mutual respect, tolerance for others and celebrating differences, whilst understanding and making links between the beliefs studied.