In today’s increasingly multicultural society, learning about world religions is a vital part of children’s education and one that helps them develop an understanding and tolerance of other people’s faiths. At Walton on the Hill Primary School, we follow the Surrey SACRE (a locally agreed syllabus drawn up by our Local Authority and put together by a group of experts including teaching associations and representatives of the Church of England and other faiths). 

Religious Education gives the children in our schools a unique opportunity to reflect on and learn from the faiths and beliefs of those around them. Effective Religious Education has a lot to offer our children as they prepare for life in our rapidly changing world, where critical thinking and discernment will be ever more important and valuable. Our school values also focus on the concepts of Respect – Rights – Responsibilities which are shared through the acceptance and tolerance of people with different beliefs to our own.

Learning in RE is divided into two distinct but complementary areas:

1) Knowledge and understanding
Pupils should know about and understand religion (and, where appropriate, non-religious worldviews), so that they can:
• Describe, explain and analyse beliefs, teachings and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between religious and non-religious communities and amongst individuals.
• Identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews (including key texts, the teachings of key leaders, and key thinkers from different traditions and communities).
• Appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.

2) Expressing ideas, beliefs and insights
Pupils should express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religion and beliefs, so that they can:
• Explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities.
• Express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues.
• Appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion or belief.

In the Classroom

Each year group in the school looks at a number of different aspects of Christianity as well as those of other religions.

Through studying these religions, the children will:
 

• Describe and make connections between the different features of the religions and worldviews they study, discovering more about celebrations, worship and rituals.
• Describe and understand links between stories and other aspects of the communities they are investigating, responding thoughtfully to a range of sources of wisdom and to beliefs and teachings of different communities.
• Explore and describe a range of beliefs, symbols and actions so they can understand different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
• Observe and understand differing examples of religions and worldviews so that they can explain, with reasons, their meanings and significance to individuals and their communities.
• Understand the challenges of commitment to a faith community, suggesting why belonging to a community might be valuable.
• Observe and consider different dimensions of religion, showing an understanding of similarities and differences within and between religions and worldviews.
• Discuss and present their own and others’ views on questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, through different forms such as music, art and poetry. 
• Consider and apply ideas about ways in which diverse communities live together for the wellbeing of all, taking account of values, community and respect.
• Discuss and apply their own and others’ ideas about ethical questions, including ideas about right and wrong, and justice and fairness.

Special Events

In addition, through visits to local churches and other places of worship, and through visits from our local Rev, Latham and worshippers from other faiths, we aim to offer other special religious experiences throughout the year. These include visits to St Peter’s Church, singing in church, Harvest, Christmas and Easter assemblies led by Rev. Latham, school trips to Swaminaryan Mandir, North London and themed days such as a Hindu feast day.

Regular Extras

Each week we have a singing assembly where the children learn new Christian songs and practise some they already know. This helps us to use music as worship in church services and assemblies.

The Future

We are keen to extend the RE experience for the children in our school and to promote long term retention of awareness of Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural themes and ideas. We would like to continue to maintain strong links with our local church community and to welcome more visitors from other faiths into our school.