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Religious Education

RE enables pupils to explore different religions, beliefs and values, helping them develop respect, understanding and awareness of diverse communities.





Our R.E Curriculum

Developing understanding, respect and curiosity about religions, beliefs and worldviews

Overview
Subject Statement

Intent

What do we aim to do?
The principal aim of RE at Lindley Junior School is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, enabling pupils to gain the knowledge, understanding, and skills needed to engage with questions raised by religion and belief, while reflecting on their own ideas, values, and ways of living. Our vision for RE reflects our school ethos of inspiring wonder, developing confidence, and celebrating community. We aim to encourage pupils to ask thoughtful questions, develop curiosity about religion and worldviews, and explore both their own beliefs and those of others in a respectful and open-minded way. As pupils progress through school, they encounter a range of religions and worldviews in increasing depth, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism, alongside non-religious perspectives. RE is designed to foster lifelong learners who can apply real-life skills, make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues, and develop an appreciation of human thought, creativity, similarities, and differences. It also supports pupils in becoming problem-solvers and reflective thinkers who are able to consider multiple perspectives. The curriculum is inspirational, engaging, and relevant to pupils’ lives, including our local community, and aims to develop collaborative learners who are prepared to live harmoniously in a diverse society.

Implementation

How do we achieve our goals?
RE is delivered through a broad, balanced, and progressive curriculum, taught for one hour per week, with clear sequencing from Year 3 to Year 6 in line with the Kirklees Agreed Syllabus and end of key stage expectations. Progression is carefully planned to ensure knowledge, skills, and understanding build year on year. Subject-specific vocabulary is explicitly taught and reinforced through lessons, knowledge organisers, retrieval activities, and discussion, ensuring pupils can confidently use appropriate religious language. Teaching builds on prior knowledge, with opportunities at the start of units to revisit and assess what pupils already know. A range of teaching approaches is used, including discussion, role play, storytelling, use of ICT, collaborative group work, and opportunities to engage with visitors from faith communities. First-hand experiences are a key feature of the curriculum, with pupils learning from visiting speakers, members of the school community, and their peers. Regular opportunities are provided for pupils to think deeply, ask questions, and discuss differing viewpoints, helping them to understand religion from multiple perspectives. High expectations are maintained for all pupils, with adaptive teaching used to ensure accessibility and appropriate challenge. RE also makes meaningful links to other curriculum areas such as English, PSHE, and wellbeing. Staff are supported through ongoing CPD, collaborative planning, and shared resources to ensure consistency and strong subject knowledge across the school. The RE subject leader plays an active role in supporting staff, monitoring provision, and developing the curriculum.

Impact

How will we know we have achieved our aims?
The impact of RE at Lindley Junior School is seen in pupils’ developing religious literacy, including their ability to enquire, interpret, and discuss religious and non-religious ideas with confidence, respect, and curiosity. Pupils develop strong communication and writing skills through opportunities to express ideas for different purposes and audiences, and they gain valuable cultural capital that supports their understanding of the wider world and prepares them for life beyond primary school. Learning in RE contributes significantly to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, as well as their understanding of British Values. Progression in skills such as discussion, listening, reasoning, and critical thinking is clearly evident from Year 3 through to Year 6. Pupils develop the ability to reflect on their own beliefs and values while showing respect and understanding for the beliefs of others. A safe, open, and inclusive classroom environment encourages curiosity and personal reflection, allowing pupils to explore ideas without judgement. Assemblies and visits from faith representatives further enrich learning, helping to make concepts real and meaningful. Overall, RE promotes key attitudes such as curiosity, respect, fairness, open-mindedness, and self-understanding, enabling pupils to appreciate diversity and develop a deeper understanding of the beliefs, values, and practices within their school, local community, and wider world.