Religious Education Curriculum

Religious Education

Intent

At Westhead Lathom St James’ CE Primary School, the Religious Education (RE) curriculum reflects our distinctive Christian character, with the aim of developing pupils' spiritual knowledge and understanding. We believe that RE provides a foundation for children to explore and reflect on what it means to have faith, both within Christianity and other world religions. Our intent is to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and empathy as pupils learn from religion as well as about it, promoting mutual respect, moral responsibility, and cultural understanding. Through RE, we encourage pupils to engage with fundamental questions about life, identity, and the nature of the world, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to reflect on their own beliefs and values as they navigate a diverse society.

Implementation

Our RE curriculum is aligned with the Locally Agreed Lancashire Syllabus and supported by resources such as Questful RE and Understanding Christianity. We provide a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds on prior learning, ensuring progression and increasing challenge as children move through the school. Lessons are delivered through year group units in mixed-age classes on a two-year cycle, ensuring that Christianity is central but that pupils also engage deeply with at least two other major world faiths. Teaching is enquiry-based, fostering reflective and thoughtful engagement with theological concepts, as well as moral and cultural issues. A variety of methods, including storytelling, role-play, art, research, and visits to places of worship, are used to enrich learning and support pupils in understanding the relevance of faith in the modern world.

Impact

Through our RE curriculum, pupils develop a coherent understanding of Christian beliefs and practices, alongside a respect for other faiths and worldviews. By the time they leave our school, they will have gained critical thinking skills and a well-rounded perspective on religion's role in society, helping them to navigate ethical dilemmas and challenges in their own lives. Pupils will have engaged deeply with questions about what it means to be human, and will have developed a sense of their own significance and values. Our RE curriculum equips pupils to be active, empathetic citizens who are respectful of diverse beliefs, ready to contribute positively to their communities, and able to find hope and purpose in a complex and ever-changing world.

Understanding the World in EYFS

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, RE is explored through Understanding of the World. The children learn about people, communities, celebrations and stories. The children enjoy exploring during provision time to extend their learning. Persona Dolls are used to enhance the learning experience and bring to life learning about other major world religions.

Harvest Festival

Godly Play

Sukkah- Busy Bees

The Busy Bees enjoyed learning about the Jewish Festival of Sukkot. The children worked collaboratively to design and build their own Sukkah Shelters.

Rama and Sita-Hindu Dharma Eager Beavers

RE Examples of Work