RE

Curriculum Overview

Intent

At the William Hogarth school, we are a small school with a big heart. Our school’s values of Happiness, Optimism, Generosity, Ambition, Resilience, Togetherness and Hardworking are woven through all that we do and teach. We are a multi-faith school and our religious education curriculum reflects our wider community and the different faiths of our families. All faiths are respected and celebrated in our community.

The William Hogarth School RE curriculum encourages children to explore different religious and non-religious traditions that have shaped Great Britain and the world. Our children have an understanding and tolerance of each other’s religions, and this is reflected in all our learning and play. We recognise religious differences and similarities within our school, and those religious differences and similarities are celebrated by our children.

At its best, it is intellectually challenging and personally enriching. It affords children both the opportunity to see the religion and non-religion in the world, and the opportunity to make sense of their own place in that world. It is inclusive and gives each child a chance to share their voice.

Implementation

All schools that are state-funded, like The William Hogarth School, are legally required to provide RE as part of their curriculum. All schools are required to teach RE to all pupils at all key stages, except for those withdrawn. Religious Education is a statutory subject of the curriculum for all pupils in each year group and ‘should be provided for all registered pupils except those withdrawn at the request of their parents.’ (s 71 SSFA 1998). If parents wish to withdraw their child, we ask that you meet with the class teacher and Leader of Character first to discuss your reasons.

We use Discovery RE to inform our planning. Discovery RE is an enquiry based Religious Education curriculum from Early Years to Year 6 (for 3-11-year-olds).

We teach Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism across the school. Christianity is taught in every year group, with Christmas and Easter revisited each year, developing children’s learning in a progressive way.

In addition to weekly lessons, the children at The William Hogarth have the opportunity to visit places of religious interest in our local community and host celebration assemblies to share our learning about important religious traditions. By including these additional learning experiences, we are reducing barriers to learning and including opportunities for all our children.

DFE RE research

Impact

Religious Education at The William Hogarth School develops

• learning about the 5 main world religions
• understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions, through exploring issues within and between faiths;
• skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;
• skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.

Religious Education at the William Hogarth School encourages pupils to

• understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures;
• learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;

Children’s voice: