We follow the RE Today scheme. 

RE in the Early Years

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, RE sits within the areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and Understanding the World. These areas enable children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others, and to learn how to form positive and respectful relationships. They will begin to understand and value the differences of individuals and groups within their own immediate community. Children will have opportunity to develop their emerging moral and cultural awareness.

RE in Key Stage 1

In Year 1, the curriculum consists of learning about Christian and Jewish beliefs. In Year 2, the children build on this and are also introduced Muslim and Sikh beliefs.

RE in Key Stage 2

In Lower Key Stage 2, the curriculum builds on pupils’ prior learning of Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Sikh beliefs whilst also beginning to explore Hindu beliefs (Year 4). In Upper Key Stage 2, pupils continue to learn about Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh and Hindu beliefs, whilst also considering non-religious views.

We have chosen to organise the curriculum in this way, as these religious views reflect the make-up of Derby and its surrounding areas. As a school, we have strong links with The Church on Oakwood and it is important that our pupils have the opportunity to explore and understand the Christian beliefs of our locality.

We hope that by teaching the children about different faiths, we will nurture our pupils to better understand the need for respect for others and develop widened cultural awareness beyond their sphere of influence. This is vital to being part of a global community.

We do not have a particular religious affiliation. We teach RE to raise our pupils’ awareness and understanding of the different religious and non-religious views of the world and enable them to develop their own opinions and responses connected to their learning. Assemblies provide another forum to present and investigate religious beliefs. Members of the Church on Oakwood, provide assemblies every other week, dramatizing Bible stories and the meanings behind them. Other faiths are also explored in our assemblies, and we raise awareness of Holy Days around the world with themed learning when appropriate, such as Ramadan, Diwali and Hanukkah. We do this to expand our pupils’ horizons so that they can better understand the world around them.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and/or collective worship.

Have a look at the documents below to explore the specific learning in each year group: