At Market Harborough Church of England Academy, our ambition is for children to learn to ask questions about the how and why in RE, understanding that the beliefs, concepts, practises and ideas of different religions and world-views shape who we are and help us to find our place in the world. We have planned our curriculum to teach facts and skills, but our pupils also need to understand that their lessons are not a one-off: that they are part of a big picture of learning about the world.

Our RE Big Ideas are key concepts that the children will revisit again and again, providing a progression of understanding against each concept. Each unit of work contributes towards an understanding of each Big Idea, which will help to develop the children’s understanding of the bigger picture of the world and the way they can be a part of society.

Our children will learn to:

1. Make sense of a range of religious and non-religious beliefs, so that they can:

• • identify, describe, explain and analyse beliefs and concepts in the context of living religions, using appropriate vocabulary
  • explain how and why these beliefs are understood in different ways, by individuals and within communities
  • recognise how and why sources of authority (e.g. texts, teachings, traditions, leaders) are used, expressed and interpreted in different ways, developing skills of interpretation

2. Understand the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs, so that they can:

• • examine and explain how and why people express their beliefs in diverse ways
  • recognise and account for ways in which people put their beliefs into action in diverse ways, in their everyday lives, within their communities and in the wider world
  • appreciate and appraise the significance of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning

3. Make connections between religious and non-religious beliefs, concepts, practices and ideas studied, so that they can:

• • evaluate, reflect on and enquire into key concepts and questions studied, responding thoughtfully and creatively, giving good reasons for their responses
  • challenge the ideas studied, and allow the ideas studied to challenge their own thinking, articulating beliefs, values and commitments clearly in response
  • discern possible connections between the ideas studied and their own ways of understanding the world, expressing their critical responses and personal reflections with increasing clarity and understanding

RE gives children opportunities to:

• ask questions about the world around them and helps them to develop into free thinking, critically aware and compassionate adults.
• become increasingly responsible for their own actions and behaviour.
• develop abilities and qualities that they need to acquire in order to play a full and active part in society.
• develop the growth of knowledge and understanding of society in all its aspects, enabling children to become conscientious participants in the family and then, progressively, the class, the school and the wider community.

RE contributes to the promotion of the school’s distinctively Christian values by:

• making connections between these values and learning in RE, bringing about greater understanding of where they come from and how they can be put into practice across a range of experiences
• making an important contribution to the school’s responsibility to promote respect for all, responsible citizenship and global learning
• providing a key context to develop young people’s understanding and appreciation of diversity, to promote shared values and to challenge racism, discrimination & extremism and can also impact on the school’s duty to promote community cohesion
• encouraging children to become increasingly aware of the concept of others and develop a growing empathy, concern and compassion for how to treat others
• helping educate for dignity and respect encouraging all to live well together contributing to British values and spiritual moral, social and cultural development
• enabling pupils to make judgements about how they should behave and act and the reasons for such behaviour.

Children will produce high quality, composite outcomes which:  

• make a difference to the community they serve, weaving into the school’s Golden Threads
• showcase excellent work in various forms such as, artwork, poetry, letters, posters and prayers

Once children reach the top of their primary school career, they are given the opportunity to apply for the role of sports or wellbeing ambassador. This responsibility gives the children the opportunity to develop their leadership and communication skills as well as being of benefit to the whole school through role models of sport and wellbeing.    

Children will engage in a range of oracy activities in line with being ‘confident communicators, such as debates, sharing own ideas and beliefs and presenting information about other’s beliefs.