Our Religious Education (RE) teaching is based upon the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus of Religious Education. This includes teaching the children about the six major world religions of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Each year, the group studies a different religion in conjunction with Christianity. As a multicultural school and society, we look for ways to celebrate our cultural diversity. This can include activities such as visits to places of worship, special assemblies and themed events.

We hold an assembly on a daily basis. We consider assembly to be an essential part of learning to be a member of the school community. Our assemblies follow the government guidelines in that they are broadly Christian. 

You may request that your child be excluded from acts of worship or religious education. You must write to the Headteacher if you wish your child to be excluded from any religious activity.

Intent

Our intent is that RE both supports and strengthens what we aim to do in every aspect of school life. Our caring ethos and the values which we place on the development of the whole child; spiritually, morally, socially, culturally and intellectually, are reflected in RE. Through the pupils having a better understanding of diverse beliefs, it will empower them to make more informed interpretations of what they see going on around them, and therefore prepare them for the outside world.

Implementation

RE is taught each week in KS1 and KS2, which covers the legal requirement of 60 hours across KS1 and 156 hours across KS2. In EYFS, RE is taught as part of Understanding the World and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. We follow the Hertfordshire agreed curriculum and use planning from 'Planbee' to support this. We have a two-year rolling long-term plan to ensure we teach all aspects of the RE curriculum. Where possible, we link RE to the main theme being taught in the class for that half-term. We aim to install in the children a curiosity for religions outside their own and the ‘big questions’ in life, as well as respect for the beliefs of others. We aim to ensure that links are made to RE throughout the broader curriculum wherever they can be meaningfully done. These usually take place at times of religious festivals (e.g. at Christmas or Diwali). Throughout the teaching of RE, we aim for pupils to have a broad understanding of the six main world religions; Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. We teach elements of these religions across the school, building upon the teaching of previous year groups in a clear sequence of progression.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Flamstead Village School, they will have a broad and well-developed understanding of the six major world religions. The pupils will have explored the core beliefs, practices and celebrations of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. They will leave school with a deepened respect and understanding for religious practices outside their own, which will enable them to thrive in an increasingly diverse and multi-cultured society.