Purpose

The intent of Religious Education (RE) at Wrestlingworth and Dunton Federation is to provide a high-quality curriculum that enables our pupils to develop a deep understanding and appreciation of different religions and beliefs, fostering respect and empathy for others. Through our RE provision, we aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to thrive as responsible global citizens in our diverse society.

Intent

RE plays a crucial role in our curriculum as it offers unique contributions towards the development of children’s spiritual, moral, social, and cultural understanding. It supports our School’s mission to educate the whole child, nurturing their character and fostering understanding and acceptance of different beliefs and cultures.

As a Church of England School, we strive to deliver a broad and balanced RE curriculum that covers a range of Christian and other religious views, and non-religious views, including those represented within our local community. Our curriculum reflects the rich diversity of religions and beliefs, promoting inclusivity and respect.

Our intention is to create an RE curriculum that is engaging, relevant, and accessible to all children, regardless of their prior knowledge or background. We want our pupils to be enthusiastic learners, who actively explore, question, and reflect on religious and ethical issues, both personally and within wider society.

RE is embedded within our promotion of British values, including respect for the rule of law, democracy, individual liberty, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. We believe that understanding and appreciating different religious and cultural practices is fundamental to fostering a cohesive and harmonious society.

Implementation

Our well-planned and sequenced RE curriculum ensures progressive knowledge and skills development, allowing children to build a strong foundation of religious literacy. Our scheme of work covers key religious concepts, sacred texts, religious practices, and the impact of beliefs on individuals and communities. The curriculum ensures continuity and progression, building on pupils’ prior learning and extending their understanding as they move through the school.

We are committed to delivering high-quality RE teaching through a variety of engaging strategies that cater to different learning styles. Our teachers use a range of resources, including high-quality texts, artefacts from different religions, and multimedia materials, to enhance the learning experience. Pupils are actively encouraged to ask questions, engage in discussions, and express their viewpoints respectfully.

We provide regular opportunities for pupils to reflect, develop their own beliefs, and explore their spirituality. We encourage personal reflection through art, mindfulness, and philosophical inquiry. Pupils also have the chance to explore the big questions of life, morality, and the universe, fostering their spiritual development.

We actively seek opportunities to enrich our RE provision through visits to local places of worship, inviting guest speakers, and engaging with faith communities within our school’s locality. This allows our pupils to experience and appreciate different religious traditions firsthand, fostering respect and understanding.

As a Church of England school our links with the local churches are very important. All children will visit our local churches weekly and receive worship there. We also work with our local Riverine Rev’d Liz and St Albans Diocese ensuring strong school-church relationships.

Formative and summative assessments are used to monitor pupil progress in RE. This data allows us to identify any gaps in knowledge or misconceptions, which we address promptly through targeted interventions. Assessment information is also used to inform future planning and ensure teaching meets the needs of all pupils.

Impact

The impact of our outstanding RE provision is reflected in the positive outcomes and development of our pupils. Through our curriculum, pupils gain a deep understanding of religious and ethical issues, developing empathy, tolerance, and respect for others. They leave our school as well-informed global citizens who contribute positively to the diverse society in which we live.

Our outstanding RE provision nurtures pupils’ cultural capital by exposing them to a broad range of religious traditions, practices, and beliefs. This equips them with the knowledge and understanding necessary to navigate an increasingly diverse world, promoting social cohesion and tolerance.

We inspire a love for learning through our outstanding RE provision. Pupils are actively engaged in exploring religious ideas and concepts and are enthusiastic participants in discussions and debates. This enthusiasm extends beyond the RE classroom, promoting a lifelong curiosity for different cultures, beliefs, and ethical issues.

Our outstanding RE curriculum encourages the celebration of diversity within our school community. Pupils develop an understanding and appreciation of different religions and beliefs, valuing the contributions of others and celebrating the richness of different heritages. This helps to foster an inclusive and tolerant school ethos.

The outstanding RE provision in our school prepares pupils for their future pathways by nurturing their critical thinking skills, moral understanding, and respect for others. These skills are transferable and invaluable in later life, enabling our pupils to thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

By implementing this intent, we ensure our outstanding RE provision positively impacts the holistic development of our pupils, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to become responsible and compassionate global citizens.

Our School Vision

It is imperative throughout our RE curriculum that our school vision is reflected-

From the smallest seeds grow the biggest trees

OUR CHRISTIAN VISION

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. A man plants the seed in his field.  That seed is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes a tree, big enough for the wild birds to come and make nests in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32, International Children’s Bible

We believe each child is like a mustard seed, growing and thriving in our Church school family.  All children are nurtured here and flourish through our teaching and care.  We empower children to seek out the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life; children are inspired to be the best that they can be. Everyone is valued and able to grow in the love of God.

Whoever you are, you are welcome here.