RE Vision Statement

 “We are all equal in the fact that we are all different. We are all the same in the fact that we will never be the same. We are united by the reality that all colours and all cultures are distinct & individual.” C.JoyBell.C

In RE a Stoke Park pupil

- will develop a broad and balanced understanding of religions and worldview

- will develop their critical thinking skills

- will broaden their perspectives of faiths and cultures; encouraging tolerance of diversity

- will nurture their own spirituality

- will contribute in a positive way to being a participating citizen of the world

Intent    

The purpose of religious education (RE) is to support our pupils to develop a sense of what it means to live a religious or non-religious life. In doing so, religious education promotes the child’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Learning about different faiths, cultures and lifestyles is one of the many elements that RE offers. The diversity of the studies covered within the Stoke Park curriculum gives our pupils a chance to develop an understanding of different cultures and an empathy for people from all walks of life. This will help in their future life, social skills and relationships. The syllabus is created in line with Living Difference IV, the agreed syllabus for RE in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Implementation 

Through our agreed syllabus, Living Difference IV, we study Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Humanism. Christianity is studied every year, Judaism in Years 3 and 4, whilst Islam and Humanism will be studied in Years 5 and 6. Every half term, pupils study one RE unit. It is recommended that, through their time at Stoke Park, pupils should be spending a minimum of 45 hours per year learning RE. These units ensure there is a breadth and variety across the school. Each unit has a conceptual focus: A concepts are common to all people, such as special or belong. B concepts are shared by many religions, whilst C concepts are distinctive to particular religions.

Every units follows a Cycle of Enquiry, which are made up of the steps of communicate, apply, enquire, contextualise and evaluate. These steps offer a secure process for pupils to explore their own experiences and the religious way of looking at the world around us. We work closely with our main infant feeder school to ensure pupils have full coverage of both Abrahamic and Dharmic faiths. This also enables us to ensure the progress of concepts across the whole primary curriculum.

There are no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds, beliefs and values of pupils and school staff.  We value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences freely with others.  All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity. We value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community.  We acknowledge that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils and we promote teaching that focuses on open enquiry and first-hand experiences wherever possible for both our pupils and staff. Knowledge in RE will focus on three main areas substantive, disciplinary and personal. We aim to enrich the children’s understanding through debate, art, music, history, literature, visitors, dance and drama.

At Stoke Park Junior School, we are extremely fortunate to have close links with our local church; St. Mary’s. Members of the local church join us for our weekly ‘Open the Book’ assembly, when our children participate in drama to bring religious stories to life. Our pupils are also able to visit the church in order to gain a first-hand experience.  

Impact 

All pupils at Stoke Park Junior School enjoy learning about other religions, including why people choose (or choose not) to follow a religion. Pupils are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their own community and in the wider world, which enables pupils to develop an understanding of other cultures and ways of life. At Stoke Park Junior School, RE is invaluable in our ever-changing and shrinking world.