our vision
At Nelson, we recognise that effective, high-quality religious education in the UK is central to our pupils living an inclusive and inspiring life as respectful adult citizens in a culturally diverse society and wider world.
It is essential that young people are confident in their core knowledge of worldviews which not only shape our shared history and culture, but which guide their development. Our pupils champion British values of tolerance, respect and individual liberty, engaging with ideas of those who hold varied beliefs and worldviews, both religious and secular, and eschewing harmful stereotyping.
This subject has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and life-long learning, fostering respect for others whose faiths and beliefs may differ from their own. As well as offering opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development, we will encourage children to develop their sense of identity and belonging as a citizen within their personal communities and more largely in a diverse national and global society.
intent
At Nelson Infant School, we have designed our curriculum with the intent that our pupils will become kind, honest, respectful, articulate, brave and curious young people who understand their impact within our world.
Our R.E curriculum allows children to become religiously literate. Children at Nelson will discover and gain an insight into religions within the world that we live, make sense of the world around them and begin to understand the complex world in which they live. We see the teaching of R.E. as vital for children to reflect on their own beliefs as well as respecting the belief and values of others.
We believe RE is concerned with educating children about religion not instructing them in a particular faith; the latter is the job of the family or faith community.
Religious Education lessons will have a strong Oracy focus, ensuring that children can use and understand key vocabulary and enable them to hold balanced and well-informed conversations about religion and world views.
EYFS
Religious Education is taught within ‘knowledge and understanding the world’ area of learning. Children may begin to explore the world of religion in terms of special people, books, times, places and objects and by visiting places of worship. They listen to and talk about stories. They are introduced to religious terminology where appropriate and use their senses in exploring religions and beliefs, practices and forms of expression. They reflect on their own feelings and experiences. They use their imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation and wonder of the world in which they live.
implementation
At Nelson, we use the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus to inform our RE planning. It has appropriate coverage, to ensure that children gain knowledge of a range of religious and nonreligious views. Our curriculum is organised into 3 main areas of study; Theology, Philosophy and Human/Social Sciences.
Theology: Thinking about believing
Theology is about asking questions that believers of a faith would ask. Theology looks at where beliefs come from, how they have changed over time and how they relate to each other.
Philosophy: Thinking through thinking
Philosophy is about finding out how and whether things make sense. Pupils will explore questions and answers raised through considering the nature of knowledge, existence and morality.
Human and Social Sciences: Thinking about living.
Human and social sciences explore the diverse ways in which people practise their beliefs. Pupils will explore questions and answers raised in relation to the impact of religions and worldviews on people and their lives.
Learning Sequences - one lesson or a series of lessons.
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Assess/Review - What do the children already know? How do you know? What can you do to check? Prior Learning
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Vocabulary – Introduce, rehearse, recap keywords
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Teach – teaching of the content and skills needed for success. Ensure there is modelling, checking and questioning,
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Talk Task – children asked a question to practise/learn the particular content through discussion and conversation.
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Apply – application of the knowledge learned in different contexts – these will show appropriate challenge for all
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Assess/Review – check what the children know now through low takes assessment and identify next steps.
impact
Children will retain more information and build upon their knowledge over the years at Nelson Infant from where they began to the end of Year 2.
Through our RE curriculum children will:
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be engaged and challenged
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have knowledge of a range of religious and non-religious worldviews by learning to see through theological, philosophical and human/social sciences lenses.
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feel valued as individuals and know that their beliefs and values are celebrated.
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be curious and develop an inquisitive mind
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achieve religious literacy to enable them to hold balanced and well-informed conversations about religious and world views.
Assessment and monitoring in RE:
• Lesson observations, book monitoring and learning walks
• Gathering pupil voice
• Moderating pupils work to ensure accurate assessments are made
• Assessing pupils’ knowledge through the use of Key Questions at the end of each unit
Key Websites to support planning and assessment: