RE Policy

Rationale

Purposes

Guidelines

Assessment

Resources and Planning

Rationale

Religious education is taught in accordance with the Devon Agreed Syllabus. RE teaching is integrated into appropriate areas of the curriculum in addition to being taught as a discrete subject.
We recognise that people?s religious and spiritual growth is an amalgam of subtle, complex influences accumulated over a lifetime. We recognise the values and beliefs pupils bring not only from family and the religious faith to which they may belong, but also from the local community and influential out of school activities. Back to top

Purposes

We aim to assist pupils in their personal search for meaning and purpose in life, through the exploration of human experiences that raise fundamental questions about beliefs and values. We aim to help pupils consolidate their own beliefs and moral values and to encourage an open minded and exploratory attitude to the beliefs and values of others.
We aim to encourage discussion and reflection on religious and philosophical questions; to lead pupils to a greater understanding of themselves; to nurture a questioning, caring and tolerant attitude in a multicultural, multifaith society. Back to top

Guidelines

Pupils are encouraged to explore, discuss and reflect upon the following with open minds:
? The fundamental questions of life, eg life and death, honesty, trust, fairness, relationships, in the context of real life situations, using appropriate resources and literature.
? The spiritual and religious nature of the human experience.
? The study of Christianity through personal experiences, Bible stories and relevant literature and visits to places of worship, including the local parish church.
? The study of the principal world faiths represented in Britain today, where possible through direct contact with members of other faiths, their places of worship and the significance of their festivals.
Teaching takes place in units of work planned in the context of the Key Stages One and Two rolling programmes of study using the Devon Syllabus. Wherever possible teaching is related to aspects of the pupils? own experiences and important dates and celebrations within the religion being studied. Back to top

Assessment

Opportunity for assessment is identified through medium-term planning and will be a continuing integral part of learning. There is an element of pupil self-assessment, particularly at Key Stage Two, in those elements of Religious Education concerning personal response. Back to top

Resources and Planning

Religious Education books are held centrally within the library. Poster packs, teachers? books and pupil workbooks are stored in the appropriate Key Stage areas. There are sets of religious artefacts representing the Christian, Hindu and Jewish faiths.


Policy reviewed by co-ordinator June 2004 Back to top