Religious Education
At Greens Norton, our high-quality religious education curriculum equips pupils to engage in informed and balanced discussions about religion and belief. Through exploring a range of faiths and worldviews, the children gain a deep understanding of core religious concepts, biblical texts and how beliefs are put into practice in daily life. They reflect on fundamental life questions, encouraging critical thinking and self-reflection. This approach helps children respect differences, appreciate similarities and understand the importance of their role in the wider world.
The principal aim for RE is:
“To enable pupils to hold balanced and informed conversations about religion and belief”.
This principal aim includes the following objectives for the provision of RE in Church Schools (Statement of Entitlement, 2019) in which pupils are expected to:
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know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs, using an approach that critically engages with biblical text;
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gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, appreciating diversity, continuity and change within the religions and worldviews being studied;
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engage with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience;
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recognise the concept of religion and its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and in the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places;
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explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways of living, believing and thinking.
At Greens Norton, RE plays a central role in promoting spiritual, moral, cultural, and social development, helping pupils to become responsible citizens and confident individuals. RE is taught weekly as a discrete subject, with a strong focus on Christianity, which forms the heart of our curriculum. We use the Diocese of Peterborough RE syllabus, which provides a coherent and structured approach to teaching core concepts in religions and beliefs.
The RE curriculum is underpinned by three core elements: Texts/Beliefs, Impact, and Connections. Each unit of work is enquiry-based, with children reflecting critically on the beliefs, spirituality and values they encounter. The main resource we use for teaching Christianity is the 'Understanding Christianity' resource, which follows a progressive, spiral curriculum beginning in Early Years. Units such as God, Creation, Incarnation, Gospel, and Salvation form the foundation of Christian teaching and these concepts are revisited and expanded in Key Stage 2, with further studies of the People of God and Kingdom of God.
In addition to Christianity, the curriculum includes in-depth studies of other major world religions, such as Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, as well as non-religious worldviews like Humanism. Some units are thematic, encouraging pupils to compare and contrast beliefs and practices across different religions and worldviews, with key themes such as festivals, commitments and the environment. This approach not only fosters respect for religious diversity but also supports the development of critical thinking and reflection.
To enrich the learning experience, we place a strong emphasis on exploring religious diversity in the wider community. We have close links with St Bartholomew’s Church, where pupils regularly visit and engage with the Christian faith. Additionally, pupils visit local places of worship and interact with visitors from other faiths. These experiences provide valuable opportunities for children to explore different cultures, beliefs and festivals, helping them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
Religious Education must be provided for all registered pupils in full time education. Parents retain the right to withdraw their children from RE lessons.
If you have any concerns, please talk to your child’s class teacher in the first instance who can direct you to the RE Subject Leader if you need further information.
