Religious Education
Subject lead: Sophie Keating
How we teach Religious Education
At Twyford St Mary’s, Religious Education (RE) encourages children to be curious about the world, understand themselves and others, and explore some of life’s big questions. Through asking, listening and discussing, children will consider ideas about identity, belonging, purpose and what it means to live well.
As a Church of England school, Christianity is at the heart of our RE curriculum. Alongside this, children explore other religious and non-religious worldviews, discovering how beliefs influence people’s lives, communities and choices. We also help children recognise that there is no single way to be, for example, a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist or Humanist: people within the same tradition may understand and express their beliefs differently.
Our teaching follows Living Difference IV, Hampshire’s agreed approach to RE, supported by Understanding Christianity and other resources. Learning is led by enquiry, often beginning with an idea children recognise from their own lives before exploring what it means within a particular religion or worldview. Children investigate, consider different perspectives and reflect on their own responses.
Our RE lessons include discussion and debate and philosophical enquiry using stories, sacred texts and artefacts as well as art, music and drama. Visits to places of worship and visitors from faith communities, where appropriate, help children connect their learning with people’s experiences.
Building understanding throughout the school
Our curriculum is planned from Reception to Year 6 so that children’s knowledge and understanding build over time. We revisit concepts such as belonging, community, special and love in different contexts across the child’s time at the school, helping them make connections between topics.
Children currently study:
- Early Years and Key Stage 1: Christianity and Judaism.
- Lower Key Stage 2: Christianity and Islam.
- Upper Key Stage 2: Christianity, Buddhism and Humanism.
This approach gives children opportunities to deepen their understanding of Christianity while exploring a range of other faiths and worldviews.
Teachers assess understanding through children’s work, but also through discussions and responses in lessons. This works alongside more formal assessments to help us identify what children understand and where they need further support or challenge.
RE and our school values
RE provides opportunities to put our values of Courage, Care, Joy and Respect into practice. Children develop the courage to ask challenging questions, the care to listen to others, the joy of discovering new ideas and the respect to discuss beliefs that may differ from their own.
Exploring themes such as justice, compassion, peace, responsibility and care for creation also encourages children to consider how they can make a positive difference. There is time to reflect, wonder and explore questions that do not always have straightforward answers.
The Twyford St Mary’s RE expert:
- Is curious about beliefs and worldviews, asks thoughtful questions and enjoys exploring big ideas.
- Has a secure understanding of Christianity and knowledge of other religious and non-religious worldviews.
- Understands that beliefs can shape people’s lives and that people within the same tradition may have different perspectives.
- Listens carefully, discusses ideas respectfully and can disagree thoughtfully.
- Can explain their own ideas, reflect on their developing values and consider different viewpoints.
- Makes connections between their learning and the world around them, considering how they can contribute positively to their community and beyond.
Our approach to RE for SEND learners
We want every child to participate meaningfully in RE, with access to the same important questions and ideas as their peers. Teachers adapt their approach, providing support and challenge that reflect children’s individual starting points while maintaining high expectations.
Careful questioning, modelling, visual and practical resources, collaborative learning and drama help make new ideas accessible to all children. Opportunities for talk and creative activities allow children to explore and communicate their understanding in different ways.
Supporting tools
Living Difference IV and Understanding Christianity support our curriculum planning and teaching. Stories, sacred texts, artefacts, pictures, music and other creative resources help children investigate beliefs and practices.
Where appropriate, visits to places of worship and visitors from faith communities enrich this learning, giving children opportunities to ask questions and discover how people live out their beliefs.