Religous Education

Purpose

The National Curriculum states the legal requirement that: “Every state-funded school must offer a curriculum which is balanced and broadly based, and which: 

• Promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils at the school and of society, and: 

• Prepares pupils at the school for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.”

 And: “All state schools... must teach religious education to pupils at every key stage.

 

Bridgewater Park uses The Discovery RE scheme which establishes what shall be taught in RE. RE is taught in blocked 'Religion around the world' weeks throughout the year. covering religions and objectives linked to this scheme.

 

Aims

Principal aim: The principal aim of RE is to engage pupils in systematic inquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own.  

 

The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils: 

1. Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that they can:  

• describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals  

• identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews  

• appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.  

2. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:  

• explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities 

• express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues  

• appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion. 

3. Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can:  

• find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively  

• inquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all  

• articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.