R.E.
Aims
The teaching of RE is a legal requirement under the Education Act (1996) and we loosely base our curriculum on a locally agreed syllabus for Religious Education 2016-21 based on the Joint Project of 5 local SACRE’s. Within this document it states that Special schools should ensure that every pupil receives RE ‘as far as is practicable’ so the curriculum has been adapted to reflect and enhance our pupil’s experiences and needs. Parents may withdraw their child, wholly or partly from RE or Collective Worship if they wish though this must be discussed with the Headteacher.
Religious Education must be non-denominational but must reflect that the religious traditions of this country are in the main Christian, whilst considering the teaching and practices of the other principle religions represented in Great Britain.
The teaching of RE covers the following themes
• Connection – what links can we make with our pupils’ lives? Creating a bridge between pupils’ experiences and the religious theme. Community ,Identity , Relationships Occasions and Celebrations
• Knowledge – What is the burning core of the faith? Selecting what really matters in a religious theme – how do people worship?
• Senses – What sensory elements are in the religion? Link to Creation and the natural world
• Symbols – What are the symbols that are most accessible and encapsulate the theme?
• Values – What are the values in the religion that speak to us? Making links between the values of the religious theme and the children’s lives
The Importance of RE:
• RE should enhance pupil’s awareness and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings, and practices, forms of expression, family life, communities and cultures. They will have access to different religious artefacts, visits and visitors and can explore the meanings and practices associated with them. Key religious festivals will be celebrated throughout the year.
• RE should offer opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development.
• RE should encourage pupils to learn from and show respect for different religious beliefs, values and traditions.
• RE encourages pupils to develop a sense of belonging and identity
• RE enables pupils to flourish within their communities as well as individually as citizens in a multicultural and global society.
• RE is important in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning
• RE helps pupils to show respect, kindness, tolerance towards others, including animals and wildlife.
• RE enables pupils to become more aware of ethical and moral issues within the community and society as a whole.
• RE is also important in helping our pupils to express their feelings, thoughts and in helping them to make choices and decisions.
RE is taught using a cross curricular approach and children will have the opportunity to explore key questions creatively and practically through visual resources, drama, stories, art and design, science and literacy.
Links to British Values
British Values are embedded within the teaching and learning of RE. Children are encouraged to share and ask questions about their own values and beliefs with others. Children are encouraged to celebrate diversity both within the school community and the world around them.
Links to SMSC
The RE curriculum supports inclusion and contributes to the spiritual, moral, social, cultural, intellectual, and physical development of our children by helping them to:
• Develop self-awareness and confidence, to feel valued and respected.
• Experience, explore, and gain knowledge and understanding of the world they live in, as individuals and as members of groups.
• Develop an awareness of own feelings and values.
• Make personal choices and adapt their behaviour according to differing situations and events.
• Develop curiosity and sense of wonder in the world around them.
• Develop knowledge, understanding and respect of religious beliefs, practices and experiences