RE at Clarendon Junior School
"RE is like an iceberg. As you unpack ideas, you come to understand deeper meaning."
Intent
At Clarendon Junior School, it is our intent for Religious Education to engage, inspire, challenge and encourage pupils. This will equip the children with the knowledge and skills needed to answer challenging questions, explore different religious beliefs, values and traditions. In addition, the children will develop a more rigorous understanding of the numerous religious traditions, beliefs and practices that are followed in our multicultural school and society.
We want our pupils to know how Religious Education promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice, preparing them for life-long learning.
Implementation
Religious Education is unique in the school curriculum in that it is neither a core nor a foundation subject, however the Guidance released in 2010 views it as an important curriculum subject. It is the intent of Clarendon Junior School that Religious Education promotes an enquiry-based approach through the implementation of the Emmanuel Project. During KS2, pupils are taught the knowledge, skills and understanding through deep enquiry into known religions.
All children in KS2 are taught RE in a weekly discreet lesson. This is delivered by the class teacher or another qualified teacher during PPA.
Experiences and enrichment opportunities at Clarendon Junior School:
- Handling artefacts
- Exploring texts
- Using drama to express feelings and ideas
- Participating in moments of quiet reflection through daily Collective Worship
- Comparing religions and world views through discussion
- Debating and communicating religious belief, and world views and answering and asking ultimate questions posed by these
Impact
Our belief is that, using an enquiry-based model well, children’s critical thinking skills will be developed, their motivation to learn increased, and their knowledge and understanding of, and empathy with people and their beliefs will be enhanced. Our children will have a better understanding of the religions that make up the diverse world in which they live, and how they can learn from and work alongside each other to create community cohesion. All children in school will be able to talk about well-being, moral and cultural development for the society in which they live. Our RE curriculum will promote inquisitive minds, respect, tolerance and understanding for all those around them, including themselves.
Parental Right of Withdrawal from RE
This was first granted in 1944 when curricular RE was called ‘Religious Instruction’ and carried with it connotations of induction into the Christian faith. RE is very different now – open, broad and exploring a range of religious and non-religious world views. In the UK, parents still have the right to withdraw their children from RE on the grounds that they wish to provide their own RE. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. This right of withdrawal exists for all pupils in all types of school, including schools with and without a religious designation. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE.
RE Around Our School
What pupils say about RE at Clarendon Junior School:
"I love RE - it is the best subject ever!"
"I enjoy the hexagon assessment task because it makes me think about what I have been taught."
"I can make connections between my own religion, Buddhism, and what is taught at school."
"Some lessons leave me thinking, 'Wow!'"
Spring 2, 2025
During this term, the whole school will study Christianity. Year 3 will be thinking about what the Christian cross symbolises. Year 4 will look at whether Christians are on a mission from God, whilst Year 5 will look at the significance of the Eucharist. Year 6 will focus on the resurrection.
Spring 1, 2025
This term, the whole school studied Hinduism. We looked at aspects such as karma, dharma and moksha. We also inferred questions about Brahman and Atman and how they can influence a Hindu's life.
Autumn 2, 2024
Years 4-6 learnt about Christianity, thinking about facts such as why Jesus was the saviour and how Jesus was God incarnate. Year 3 learnt about Islam, thinking about obedience and submission to Allah.
Autumn 1, 2024
This term, Year 3 learnt about Christianity, whilst the rest of the school learnt about Islam.
Useful Websites
- The Emmanuel Project
- BBC Teach | Religious Education - offers a variety of information on all religions for children in KS2
British Values
Knowledge Organisers
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Year 3
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Year 4
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Year 5
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Year 6