Intent

At Sherston Primary School, our intent is to provide a broad and balanced Religious Education curriculum that fosters respect, understanding, and empathy for others. We aim to develop pupils’ knowledge of different religions and worldviews, while encouraging critical thinking and reflection on their own beliefs and values. Through a focus on both the major world religions and Christianity, we seek to inspire curiosity, tolerance, and a deeper understanding of the spiritual, moral, and cultural dimensions of life.

Implementation

Our Religious Education curriculum is designed to blend an inquiry-based approach with a deeper exploration of faith and religion, offering pupils a comprehensive understanding of faith and belief. Key elements include:

• Exploring World Religions: Pupils study a range of major world religions, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and others, through thematic units. Each unit encourages children to explore religious stories, practices, and values, fostering an appreciation for diversity and different worldviews.
• Understanding Christianity: A significant part of the curriculum is devoted to developing a deeper understanding of Christian beliefs and practices. Pupils explore key biblical stories, Christian values, and how Christianity shapes individuals’ lives and communities.
• Reflection and Enquiry: Through open-ended questions and reflective tasks, children are encouraged to think critically about the similarities and differences between religions, as well as their own spiritual, moral, and philosophical perspectives.
• Personal Development: RE lessons also focus on developing empathy, respect, and an understanding of different cultures, which supports children’s overall personal and social development.

Lessons are carefully sequenced, allowing pupils to revisit and build upon their knowledge over time, while exploring both individual faiths and shared human experiences. The curriculum is designed to be inclusive, ensuring all children can engage with the content meaningfully.

Impact

The impact of our RE curriculum is evident in the thoughtful, open-minded, and respectful pupils we nurture. Children demonstrate a growing understanding of different faiths, as well as a deeper knowledge of Christianity, reflected in their ability to discuss and compare religious beliefs and practices. Regular formative assessments show that pupils are developing critical thinking skills and empathy, and are able to articulate their own views while showing respect for the beliefs of others. Pupils leave Sherston Primary with a well-rounded understanding of religion and its place in the world, prepared to engage with the diverse society around them.

Right to Withdraw

Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Religious Education. Those parents/carers wishing to exercise this right are invited in to see the head teacher and/or RE Leader who will explore any concerns and discuss any impact that withdrawal may have on the child. The school will ensure that parents who want to withdraw their children from RE are aware of the RE syllabus and that it is relevant to all children, and respects their own personal beliefs. Parents will be made aware of the learning objectives and what is covered in the RE curriculum and should be given the opportunity to discuss this, if they wish. The school may also wish to review such a request each year, in discussion with the parents.  

The use of the right to withdraw should be at the instigation of parents and it should be made clear whether it is from the whole of the subject or specific parts of it. No reasons need be given.

Where parents have requested that their child is withdrawn, their right must be respected, and where RE is integrated in the curriculum, the school will need to discuss the arrangements with the parents or carers to explore how the child’s withdrawal can be best accommodated. The purpose of the option to withdraw is to allow parents/ carers to make their own arrangements for their own preferred RE not so children can take part in other studies/ activities. Once a child has been withdrawn they cannot take part in the RE programme until the request for withdrawal has been removed.

Parents who decide to withdraw their children from RE lessons are requested to put this in writing to the Headteacher for our school records.  Parents will be invited to review their request annually. 

The right of withdrawal does not extend to other areas of the curriculum when, as may happen on occasion, spontaneous questions on religious matters are raised by pupils or there are issues related to religion that arise in other subjects.