We follow the Lincolnshire agreed syllabus for Religious Education.
The aim of RE in Lincolnshire: To produce pupils who are religiously literate and able to hold balanced and informed conversations about religion and belief.
At key stage 2: 45 hours per year.
Two-thirds of our time has a Christian Focus.
Our RE teaching:
- develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity as well as other principal religions and world views;
- focuses on concepts as well as content, within the context of enquiry based learning;
- explores authentic religious material, e.g. sacred texts;
- reflects diversity in terms of the changing religious landscape of the UK so that they are prepared for life in modern Britain;
- engages and challenges pupils;
- reflect pupils’ own experiences and provides a safe space for discussion;
- presents religious belief as a real, lived phenomenon, not something exotic or belonging to the past;
- takes into account the increase in the number of people with non-religious beliefs and identities;
- provides opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development;
- helps to prepare pupils for adult life, enabling them to develop respect and sensitivity for others.
Our pupils develop key skills in RE in order to enhance learning:
1. Investigation and enquiry: asking relevant and increasingly deep questions; using a range of sources and evidence, including sacred texts; identifying and talking about key concepts.
2. Critical thinking and reflection: analysing information to form a judgement; reflecting on beliefs and practices, ultimate questions and experiences.
3. Empathy: considering the thoughts, feelings, experiences, attitudes, beliefs and values of others; seeing the world through the eyes of others.
4. Interpretation: interpreting religious language and the meaning of sacred texts; drawing meaning from, for example, artefacts and symbols.
5. Analysis: distinguishing between opinion, belief and fact; distinguishing between the features of different religions.
6. Evaluation: enquiring into religious issues and drawing conclusions with reference to experience, reason, evidence and dialogue.
Key areas of enquiry
1. God: What do people believe about God?
2. Being human: How does faith and belief affect the way people live their lives?
3. Community, worship and celebration: How do people express their religion and beliefs?
4. Life journey: rites of passage: How do people mark important events in life?
Spirituality in Religious Education
Spirituality features prominently in religious education at SFSM. The aim of religious education is not to impose or endorse any particular set of beliefs or practices, but to provide children with a framework to understand and respect the diverse spiritual and religious beliefs of different people.
Through religious education, children can explore different religious traditions, their teachings, beliefs, and practices, and embark on their journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Religious education provides children with an opportunity to learn about their place in the world, the ethical and moral values they should cultivate, and the ways they can connect with themselves, others, and a higher power.
Religious education can provide children with a space to develop their emotional intelligence, empathy towards others and themselves, and develop a sense of openness and respect towards different cultures, religions, and worldviews. Overall, religious education at SFSM guides children towards greater self-knowledge, and help them cultivate a deep sense of connection with the world, resulting in greater emotional and spiritual awareness that can benefit them throughout their lives.
