The principles of our Sandlings ethos “Sandlings is a unique, nurturing school where everyone belongs and thrives” can be seen throughout our RE curriculum and provision.
The primary purpose of RE is to develop ‘religious literacy’ or the ‘ability to hold balanced and well-informed conversation about religion and belief’.
Suffolk’s agreed syllabus says that
“the RE curriculum as a blend of three academic disciplines: theology, philosophy, and human and social science. Each discipline is present at each key stage of learning.
Underpinning these disciplines is a requirement to develop four key attitudes which are essential to good RE learning: Self-awareness, Open-mindedness, Respect for all and Appreciation and wonder.”
Parents and carers do have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE. While no reasons need to be given for withdrawal, we warmly welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have before you make a final decision, as our curriculum is designed to be inclusive and respectful of all faiths and none. If you still wish to exercise this right, please submit your request in writing to the Headteacher so that appropriate alternative arrangements and supervision can be organized for your child during these lessons.
The characteristics we aim to foster in our children are:
- An outstanding level of religious understanding and knowledge; a wide knowledge and deep understanding across a wide range of religions and beliefs and through this understanding have respect and tolerance for different faiths and cultures
- A thorough engagement with a range of ultimate questions about the meaning and significance of existence.
- The ability to ask significant and highly reflective questions about religion and demonstrate an excellent understanding of issues related to the nature, truth and Value of religion.
- A strong understanding of how the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life within any religion cohere together.
- Exceptional independence; the ability to think for themselves and take the initiative in, for example, asking questions, carrying out investigations, evaluating ideas and working constructively with others and use these skills across the curriculum
- Significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity, which are shown in their responses to their learning in RE.
- The ability to link the study of religion and belief to personal reflections on meaning and purpose.
The 5 thresholds concepts for RE are
- Understand beliefs and teachings -understanding the key teachings of various religions.
- Understand practices and lifestyles- understanding the day to day lives and practices of various religions.
- Understand how beliefs are conveyed- understanding how books, scriptures, readings and other important means of communication are used to convey beliefs.
- Reflect- an appreciation of how religion plays an important role in the lives of some people
- Understand values- an appreciation of how many people place values as an important aspect of their lives.
Implementation
It has been agreed that having taken into account the requirements and guidelines presented in the Suffolk Agreed Syllabus, we study the Emanuel Project guidance and themes of study which cover the following religions:
- Christianity
- Islam
- Judaism
- Hinduism
- Sikhism
- Buddhism
and we underpin this with Chris Quigley’s curriculum and depth of learning assessment tool.