RE

 Intent

As of this year, all schools within the Rainbow Trust will follow the same RE syllabus as this will help teachers in sharing workload and will aid our systems for cross-Trust monitoring. We will use the Questful RE syllabus from the Blackburn Diocese, with this tailored to fit with the wider development of SMSC and PSHCE, and the Christian belief that the teaching of other religions is a fundamental part of children’s religious education. We have done this by contextualising references to other religions within the topics taught, doing so in a way that deepens children’s understanding of the topics and enhances their process of reflection. The religious character of individual schools will be seen through the specific ethos of each one as well as distinct features of the school day, such as prayer time, assemblies, religious routines, etc.

The Church of England views Religious Education in CofE schools as ‘a highly valued academic subject that enables understanding of how religion and beliefs affect our lives’. This statement applies to ‘pupils and staff … from all faiths and none’. It promotes a curriculum that ‘enables pupils to hold balanced and well-informed conversations about religion and belief. Implicit within this is the study of a range of religions, belief systems and worldviews.’ According to SACRE, ‘the principal aim of RE is to engage pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own’.

It is the essence of these statements that provide the direction of our intent: we want pupils and staff to engage in meaningful conversations that build understanding of the world and the belief systems held by the people within it. These should promote the acceptance and understanding of others as we strive to create harmony within our lives and the world in which we live.

Implementation 

Religious Education is taught as a discrete lesson in all schools every week. Lesson planning has been done by an experienced RE Lead who has worked alongside both the Liverpool Diocese and Blackburn Diocese – as well as many local religious groups – to develop extensive knowledge of the subject. Our humanities leads are working together to put lesson slides together so that lesson resources are consistent across the schools. 

The following example is just one specific way that shows how planning addresses the aims set out above: In Year 1, pupils learn about Harvest (including Sukkot as an introduction to Judaism), Christmas, Easter and the Creation story from a Christian perspective – as well as Hindu and Islamic beliefs about Creation. Strong links are made with the Pentateuch as a means of referencing the commonalities of Judaism, Islam and Old Testament RE from a Christian perspective.

School websites will provide additional details regarding implementation of the curriculum through other aspects of the school day, such as prayer time, assemblies, religious routines, etc.

ld Primary School we follow the National Curricu

Autumn Term 1

Wirral Foodbank

This term in R.E., the children will be learning about Harvest and the celebration of the food that is grown on the land. Harvest is an important time of year for food banks, where they are able to provide emergency food and support to people in crisis. Townfield Primary School will mark this season by working alongside Wirral Foodbank.

Thank you to everyone who donated food to the food bank! We have donated an amazing 266.20kg worth of food!

Year 1: Harvest (making links to Christianity, Judaism and Islam)

The children have began to understand that the food they eat comes from different cultures and modern transport has made the availablitiy of food from different countries. They understand what the Chritians Communiunity is and that Harvest is a time they show thanks to God for all the food he provides. The children understand that some people do not have enough food to eat and that some charaties help others in need to feed themselves. Year 1 have made links to Islam in this topic and explored what Zakat (one of the five pillars of Islam) means and how this can help struggling families achieve a healthy harvest. In this topic, Year have also explored how Jewish people celebrate Sukkot after the harvest has been gathered. The children have learnt how Jewish people prepare for this festival and what objects are needed to create a Sukkah to give thanks to God for the food and shelter. 

Year 2: The Bible (making links with Christianity, Judaism, Islam)

During this R.E. topic, the children in Year 2 began to understand that whatr makes books special and that a Bible is a special holy book to Christians. They have learnt that the Bible is not just one book but many books put together, including poetry, history, letters, stories, the law, advice/wisdom. The chidldren have also explored what the Torah is and why it is important to the Jewish people. They have learnt that the Torah contains 613 commandments that Jews must follow in their everyday lives and why rules in general are important. Year 2 bagan to understand what the Qur'an is and why it is important in Islam. They have developed an awareness that some people turn to God for help when they are in need. 

Year 3: Harvest (making links with Christianity, Judaism and Sikhism)

Year 3 children are building on their knowledge of Harvest from KS1. They have been exploring how they can say thanks for many things in their lives just as Christians who say thanks to God for all that he provides. The children have also began to understand the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi during Spring time and know that different religions celebrate harvest at different times of the year. Year 3 have also explored the festival of Sukkot and understand that it reminds Jews that there is only one real source of security and protection, and that is God. 

Year 4: God, David and the Psalms

In Year 4, the children have been retelling the story of Samuel who anoints David the Shepard and understand why God chose David. The children have bagn to understand what qualities are important in a successful leadership. The children have learnt the story of Jonathan's loyalty towards David and have explored that Jesus whats others to love their friends as they love themselves. In Year 4, the children have learnt all about the story of David when he becomes King and the errors of judgement he has made. They have understood that when people do not focus on God, it is easy to make mistakes. The children have learnt that God forgives people for their mistakes and wants people to recognise and admit when they have done something wrong. 

Year 5: Daniel - Did he make the right choice?

In Year 5, the children have been learning the Biblical story about Daniel held as captive. They have began to understand that some people have to leave their homes against their will such as, slaves, trafficking and regugees and how this can make people feel (upset, lonliness, uncertainty, fear and sadness. The children have also explored the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into a Fiery Furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. They have learnt that it is believed by some people if they follow God, he will protect them no matter what. Year 4 have further learnt about the story of Daniel disobeying a newly made law by the king and that religon cannot interfere in affairs of state and the state cannot interfere in religious affairs. 

Year 6: Ideas about God (making links with Christianity, Islam and Hinduism

This half term, Year 6 learnt all about why Allah has 99 names and compared this with how God is worshiped. The children had to create their own worship song, exploring images and description which attemps to exaplain the majesty of God as perceived by those who have faith. Year 6 also explored the Christian ideas about God and Christian Celtic Spirituality. They have began to undersyand that Celtic Knots are continuous loops which have no start or ending and we said to represent eternity in loyalty, faith, friendship or love. Year 6 have began to understand the Hindu belief that there is one God with many different aspects. 

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