Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education
At St John’s, we intend for our pupils to grow as thoughtful, empathetic individuals who can critically engage with religious and ethical ideas.
Intent
At St John’s, we follow the LDBS (London Diocesan Board for Schools) RE Primary Syllabus to provide a broad, balanced, and inclusive Religious Education curriculum. Our intent is to nurture pupils’ understanding of Christianity and other world religions, promoting respect, curiosity, and open-mindedness.
RE is taught through theology, philosophy and the human and social sciences, using an enquiry-based approach. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils’ knowledge, understanding and ability to reflect deepen as they progress from Early Years through to Key Stage 2.
We aim to:
- Develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of key religious beliefs, practices, and values, with a particular emphasis on Christianity as outlined in the LDBS syllabus
- Encourage pupils to explore and reflect on fundamental questions about life, meaning, and purpose
- Promote spiritual development and moral awareness in a supportive and inclusive environment
- Foster respect for diverse beliefs and cultures, encouraging pupils to appreciate the importance of faith in people’s lives
- Equip pupils with the skills to engage thoughtfully and respectfully in discussions about religion and belief
Implementation
Our RE lessons are delivered weekly as a discrete subject, with clear units of work that cover:
- Core teaching about Christianity, including key beliefs, festivals, practices, and the life and teachings of Jesus
- Learning about other major world religions, such as Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, fostering understanding and respect for diverse beliefs
- Opportunities for personal reflection and discussion, where children can explore and express their own views in a respectful environment
- Enquiry-based learning, encouraging children to investigate big questions, compare beliefs, and make connections between faith and real-life situations
Through this enquiry approach, pupils engage with theology (examining beliefs and sacred texts), philosophy (exploring meaning and purpose), and the human and social sciences (considering how beliefs influence individuals and communities).
Teachers use the detailed plans and resources provided by the LDBS to ensure consistency and progression throughout the school. Lessons are designed to be inclusive, engaging, and thought-provoking, with a balance of factual knowledge, creative tasks, storytelling, and discussion.
RE is enriched through visits to places of worship, visitors and artefacts, and strong links with our local parishes and wider community.
Impact
Our children will be able to hold a balanced and well-informed conversation about religion and worldviews. They will be able to reflect, respond and express their own religious, spiritual and/or philosophical convictions. They will be able to make their own choices and decisions concerning religion and belief based on a deep knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews, belief systems, values and practices. Children will have developed a deeper understanding of what it means to live life in all of its fullness.