Intent

At Great Ponton Church of England Primary School, we aim to inspire religious literacy by developing pupils' understanding of how people of faith and different worldviews live, think and express their beliefs. Through the study of Christianity, other world religions and non-religious worldviews, pupils develop the knowledge and understanding needed to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with the diverse world around them.

The Religious Education Council states:

"The ability to understand the faith or belief of individuals and communities, and how these may shape their culture and behaviour, is an invaluable asset for children in modern day Britain. Explaining religious and non-religious worldviews in an academic way allows young people to engage with the complexities of belief, avoid stereotyping and contribute to informed debate."

Our Religious Education curriculum encourages pupils to ask challenging questions about belief, meaning, purpose and identity, whilst developing the disciplinary skills of theologians, philosophers and social scientists. Through exploration, enquiry and discussion, pupils learn to appreciate different perspectives, challenge stereotypes and develop informed views of their own.

Above all, we want our children to develop respect, compassion and understanding for people whose beliefs, values and experiences may differ from their own. We aim to prepare pupils not only to meet the statutory requirements of Religious Education, but also to become curious, reflective and responsible citizens who are ready for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain.

Implementation:

At Great Ponton Church of England Primary School, Religious Education is delivered through the RE Today curriculum, providing a broad, balanced and progressive programme of study from EYFS to Year 6. The curriculum is carefully sequenced to develop pupils' knowledge, understanding and religious literacy over time, enabling them to make meaningful connections between beliefs, practices and lived experiences.

Religious Education is taught through weekly lessons and is given a high profile within the wider curriculum. Learning is enriched through visitors, educational visits, themed experiences and the study of religious festivals and celebrations. These opportunities help pupils develop a deeper understanding of religion and worldviews within both local and global communities.

Our curriculum is structured around three disciplinary lenses:

• Theology (Believing): exploring questions about faith, belief, God and religious teachings.
• Human and Social Sciences (Living): investigating how beliefs are expressed through individuals, communities, traditions and practices.
• Philosophy (Thinking): considering challenging questions about meaning, purpose, morality, truth and existence.

These disciplines are embedded throughout each unit of learning, enabling pupils to think critically, ask increasingly sophisticated questions and develop a deeper understanding of religion and worldviews as they progress through school.

Pupils study Christianity in depth as the major religious tradition in Britain, whilst also learning about a range of other world religions and non-religious worldviews. Through this approach, pupils develop an appreciation of diversity, gain knowledge of different beliefs and practices, and learn to engage respectfully with viewpoints that may differ from their own.

Knowledge organisers, key vocabulary and retrieval activities are used to support long-term memory and ensure pupils can build upon prior learning. Regular opportunities for discussion, debate, enquiry and reflection help pupils develop the confidence to articulate their thoughts, justify their opinions and respectfully challenge the views of others.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, learning is primarily delivered through the Understanding the World area of learning. Children begin to explore beliefs, celebrations, traditions, special places and communities through stories, role play, discussion, visitors and first-hand experiences. These opportunities develop curiosity and lay strong foundations for future learning in Religious Education.

Adaptive teaching strategies ensure all pupils can access the curriculum and achieve success. Teaching is carefully scaffolded through the use of visual aids, practical experiences, structured talk, carefully selected resources and targeted support where appropriate. All pupils, including those with SEND, are supported to engage with key concepts, develop religious literacy and make strong progress from their individual starting points.

Through the implementation of our Religious Education curriculum, pupils are encouraged to become curious, reflective and respectful learners who develop a secure understanding of faith, belief and worldview. In doing so, they embody our school vision:

"I am strong because we are strong."
"Doing all things in love. Flourishing together." (1 Corinthians 16:14)

Impact:

At Great Ponton Church of England Primary School, pupils develop a strong understanding of Christianity, other world religions and non-religious worldviews. They enjoy exploring big questions about belief, meaning, purpose and identity, and are able to discuss these thoughtfully and respectfully.

Through their learning in Religious Education, pupils develop the knowledge, vocabulary and understanding needed to engage with different faiths and worldviews. They make meaningful connections between their own experiences and the experiences of others, developing empathy, respect and an appreciation of diversity within modern Britain and the wider world.

As pupils progress through the school, they become increasingly confident in asking questions, analysing different viewpoints, presenting reasoned opinions and reflecting on their own beliefs and values. They demonstrate the ability to think through theological, philosophical and ethical questions while showing respect for the beliefs and perspectives of others.

We believe Religious Education plays a vital role in preparing pupils for life in an increasingly diverse and interconnected society and supports them in living out our vision of "Doing all things in love. Flourishing together."

^{We measure the impact of our curriculum through:}

• Assessment of pupils' knowledge, understanding and disciplinary thinking against the expected outcomes identified within the RE Today curriculum and our progression documents.
• End of unit and end of year teacher assessments which consider a range of evidence, including written work, discussion, pupil voice, presentations, artwork, debate and other practical outcomes.
• Regular retrieval activities which demonstrate pupils' ability to know more, remember more and make connections between previous and current learning.
• Monitoring of pupils' work, lesson visits and pupil discussions by the RE subject leader to ensure high standards and progression across the curriculum.
• Ongoing professional dialogue and staff development which support consistent and effective teaching of Religious Education.
• Monitoring and evaluation by senior leaders and governors.
• Annual reporting to parents on pupils' attainment, progress and engagement within Religious Education.

By the time pupils leave Great Ponton, they are religiously literate, respectful and reflective young people who are equipped to engage positively with the diverse beliefs, values and cultures they will encounter throughout their lives.