RE
RE at Cloverlea
At Cloverlea Primary School, we offer a broad and rich RE curriculum to allow children to develop a holistic understanding of the religions that make up the UK landscape. We provide a high quality, coherent and progressive experience of the subject where children have the opportunity to explore a range of religions and worldviews, as well as have the chance to reflect on their own views and beliefs. During their time in Cloverlea, children will explore Christanity, Judaism, Islam and Sanatana Dharma in depth. The religions studied are reflective of the Cloverlea Community and are not limited to the four mentioned as we believe in pursuing the interests of the child and developing their inquisitivity.
Jigsaw RE forms the foundation of our vibrant Religious Education programme at Cloverlea Primary School. This comprehensive scheme encourages curiosity, respect, and a deeper understanding of diverse faiths and worldviews. Through engaging lessons, discussions, and activities, Jigsaw RE helps students explore their own beliefs and values, fostering a sense of personal identity within a global community. We believe Jigsaw RE enriches our students' understanding of the world, promoting empathy, kindness, and open-mindedness.
Intent
The children are encouraged to think deeply and speak confidently about their wellbeing, moral and cultural development for the society in which they live. The RE curriculum aims to promote inquisitive minds, respect, tolerance and understanding for all those around them including themselves.
SMSC, personal growth, wellbeing and community cohesion are featured throughout each unit and are there to ensure opportunities for children to develop positive attitudes and values and to reflect on and relate their learning in RE to their own experiences. The intent is to make sure that children understand the relevance of RE in today's modern world.
We deliver a curriculum that:
- Celebrates the diverse and rich community at Cloverlea
- Inspires creative learning through excellent teaching practices that build on prior R.E. learning and allow for repetition and progression of skills.
- Our curriculum embraces the community in which it is situated, recognising local places of worship.
- Is inclusive, develops self-confidence and identifies that all our children are unique and therefore we should all be tolerant of each other’s beliefs.
- Encourages our children to be inquisitive about others beliefs developing inquiry based R.E. skills that allow them to culturally aware of the world around them.
- Promotes equality and understanding of the British values and ensures they are prepared for life in modern Britain.
Implementation
Religious Education is taught on a weekly basis, using the Jigsaw R.E scheme of work.
Jigsaw RE is an enquiry-based scheme of work, covering the principal world faiths in a progressive way from Reception to Year 6. In reception, the learning is closely matched to Birth to 5 matters to contribute meaningfully to your child’s holistic development. Throughout all the enquiries, the children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is carefully considered.
Each enquiry lasts for half a term and begins with a “big” question such as “What is the best way for a Christian/Jew/Muslim etc. to show commitment to God?” The children then start discussing the theme of the enquiry (in this case, commitment) from their own experience. What have they shown commitment to? Brownies? Cubs? Their sporting team? Playing an instrument?
Only when the children fully understand the concept they are considering, do they then move on to investigating what the people following the studied religion believe about it. They will spend approximately 3 lessons on this, learning in a variety of ways, so they can adapt their responses and come to a measured conclusion. In week 5 they will complete an activity which can assess their learning, by answering their “big” question. The assessment activities are child friendly and can be answered in a variety of ways, as long as the child can justify their view with the knowledge they have gained throughout the enquiry. This demonstrates the level of critical thinking that the children can apply – a valuable skill for them throughout the school curriculum.
The final week in every enquiry gives the children time to reflect on what they have learnt about the concept and apply to it their own lives, thus allowing them to form their own beliefs and identity. For example, learning that Sikhs share their food with all who attend has taught me ……… about sharing that I would like to take forward with me. These lessons are often very creative and children have opportunities to make items to express themselves in ways other than just writing.
Pupils’ progress in RE is based on the expected outcomes and progress in RE is reported annually to parents and has a prominent position in the end of year report.
Impact
- Children will have a stronger awareness of the world around them and will be mindful of the beliefs of others.
- Children will feel they are valued as individuals and that their beliefs are valued and celebrated.
- Enjoyment of the R.E. curriculum will promote creativity, achievement, confidence and inquisitive minds.
- Children feel safe to learn new things and share their beliefs with others in an accepting environment.
- Children leave the school with a sense of belonging to a tightly knit community where they have the confidence and skills to make decisions, self-evaluate, make connections and become lifelong learners.