Religious Education
Intent - What we want for our children?
Our Religious Education (RE) curriculum develops children’s understanding and respect for diverse faiths and worldviews, while encouraging reflection on their own beliefs and values. We take a holistic approach that supports moral, spiritual, social and cultural growth through discussion, reflection, and the sharing of ideas.
Children learn about Christianity alongside a wide range of religions and non-religious traditions. The curriculum is progressive, beginning in Early Years and building year on year through revisiting and reinforcing key concepts. This ensures pupils develop both knowledge and essential skills, leading to a lasting appreciation and enthusiasm for RE.
In line with the locally-agreed syllabus, we aim to provide a broad, balanced, and inclusive curriculum. Pupils explore how people express beliefs, use artefacts, and follow rituals, while learning to question, interpret, and assess claims with accuracy. They are encouraged to reflect on how their own values connect with wider traditions, fostering curiosity, respect, and acceptance of different cultures.
Implementation - How is the curriculum delivered?
The RE curriculum has been carefully designed for every year group, with clear essential learning statements identified to ensure full coverage of the locally agreed syllabus. Learning is sequenced to build progressively on prior knowledge and skills, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen their understanding over time. This approach ensures that progression is clear, concepts are securely embedded, and children develop both the knowledge and the reflective skills needed to engage meaningfully with a range of faiths and worldviews. Stories, songs, art, drama and discussion are used to bring religious ideas to life, enabling children to compare traditions, reflect on their own beliefs, and appreciate the perspectives of others.
Books, artefacts, and high-quality texts are used to deepen understanding. The Education Library Service provides resources, and class sets of Bibles are available for independent use. Where appropriate, RE is supported through reading lessons to strengthen vocabulary and comprehension. For example, during our Judaism themed day, children across KS2 have a reading theme focus on different aspects of Judaism and celebrations.
Curriculum Enrichment
Children encounter a range of religions through:
- Themed days and whole-school events
- Visitors and links with local faith leaders
- Trips to places of worship (e.g. churches, a synagogue, Chester Cathedral)
- Regular assemblies led by our local vicar
Special RE days (e.g. Hinduism Day, Islam Day, Judaism Day, Holi Festival) celebrate key traditions and festivals, raising awareness and pride in children’s own cultures while promoting interest and respect for others.
Impact - How do we know our RE curriculum is effective?
The impact of our RE curriculum is evident in the confidence with which pupils express their understanding of religious, moral and spiritual ideas. Pupil Voice shows that learning is meaningful and memorable, with children able to articulate their knowledge and reflect on their own values. Progress is seen in the variety of ways children present their learning, from written outcomes and artwork to drama, debates and assemblies. RE learning journeys capture this progression, while our whole-school SMSC book celebrates snapshots of experiences across the year. Through themed days, visits and assemblies, pupils recall, celebrate and demonstrate their growing respect, curiosity and enthusiasm for different beliefs and cultures.
If you have any further enquiries relating to the RE curriculum, please email Mrs Hulse on ghulse@hornsmill.cheshire.sch.uk
