Clydach Junior School
A Curriculum Policy for RE
Introduction
This policy outlines provision for religious education in our school.
The status of ‘Religious Education’ (RE) as a basic subject under the Education Act 1988 ensures that RE enjoys equal standing in relation to National Curriculum foundation subjects and should be resourced and allocated time in the same way.
This policy is being reviewed in the light of a new agreed syllabus for the City and County of Swansea to take effect from September 2001. It seeks to set out the aims of the RE to be taught in our school and suggests how the new syllabus should be delivered and assessed.
The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of all teaching staff, although there is a clause in the 1988 Act which allows teachers to withdraw from the teaching of this subject on grounds of conscience. Pupils at the school may likewise be withdrawn from RE lessons after consultation between parents and staff/governors.
The Nature of Religious Education
RE is a broad based subject which seeks to go much further than simply teaching children about ‘religion’. It is also concerned with exploring the religious understanding of human life and the value systems imposed by different societies. Through RE we hope to encourage children to consider important ‘life’ questions, to develop attitudes of understanding and tolerance and to begin to appreciate the spiritual, emotional and aesthetic aspects of life. RE also aims to foster a sense of ‘awe and wonder’ in relation to the natural world.
Aims
The study of RE must endeavour to broaden children’s knowledge of other peoples’ histories. It must “reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.” (Education Act. 1988).
The aims of RE teaching in our school will be as set out in the Agreed Syllabus 2001, and are as follows:-
1. To encourage knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of religious traditions with particular emphasis on Christianity whilst giving due recognition to other faiths.
2. To help pupils in their personal search for the meaning and purpose of life through an exploration of religious and spiritual beliefs and concepts.
3. To acquire skills for exploring and responding to religion and life experiences.
4. To encourage tolerance, respect and empathy for the beliefs and practices of other people.
5. To provide opportunities for refection to deepen understanding of religious, moral and spiritual issues.
Organisation
Time
It is suggested that RE be allocated a minimum, of 5% curriculum
Time at Key Stage 2 per week. (i.e. approximately one hour).
Staff
The member of staff appointed as co-ordinator for RE should have
an active interest in the subject, should attend regular in-service
training, and encourage good practice throughout the school by
advising, planning and monitoring. All teaching staff will be involved
in the planning of the subject and will follow the scheme of work.
Resourcing
A wide range of books, videos, posters and artefacts will be
available as well as the opportunity to visit places of worship and
the chance to hear visiting speakers from various faiths.
Continuity and Progression
The schemes of work should assist in ensuring that continuity of
teaching is maintained through the Key Stage and that progression is
shown in the topics that are re-visited regularly such as Christmas and
Easter.
Key Skills
The teaching of RE should lead to the development of Key Skills
particularly Personal and Social Education, Communication and
Curriculum Cymreig, but Maths, ICT, Problem Solving and Creative
Skills will also be important components.
Entitlement
The Agreed Syllabus contains three attainment targets:-
(i) Knowledge and Understanding of religious belief and practice.
(ii) Awareness of life experiences and questions they raise.
(iii) Exploring and responding to religion and life experiences.
Children will be taught about the five aspects of RE suggested by the Agreed Syllabus.
• Worship and Celebration
• Community and Lifestyle
• Authority
• Questions and Beliefs
• Relationships
Implementation
The programmes of study for the five aspects of RE will usually be re-visited at least once during the Key Stage. The schemes of work have been developed using a two year cycle so that children in Years 3 and 4 follow one scheme and children in Years 5 and 6 follow another. The schemes of work have been devised to follow, as far as this is possible, the termly topics (six topics for Years 3 and 4 and six topics for Years 5 and 6, taught over the two year cycle). However where the topic has no obvious RE content then the subject will be delivered discretely. It is important to note that with young children at the start of Key Stage 2 much RE will be implicit and will frequently overlap Personal and Social Education.
Assessment
Assessment is now a statutory element of the agreed syllabus. There are three assessment objectives defined by the agreed syllabus.
AO1 Knowledge and understanding of religion.
AO1 Awareness of life experiences.
AO2 Exploring, responding and expressing.
The agreed syllabus contains further explanations of these assessment objectives together with level descriptors. (See assessment policy).
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