Religious Education
Religious Education is a core subject at Downton Primary School where pupils are taught about, and learn from the Christian Faith from EYFS to Year 6. Our children learn about other faiths from KS1 and at Downton, we provide children with not only the knowledge, but an understanding of the wider world.
Our RE curriculum is designed to allow children to develop an awareness of beliefs and practices of Christianity and other faiths. Along with the links we have with our local clergy and the wider community, our children are encouraged to raise questions and begin to develop their own views of the world we live in.
Intent
Our aim is for all pupils to be informed, articulate and empowered. In RE, this means children are engaged and inspired by a well-designed, sequential curriculum. A wide range of enrichment opportunities and the opportunity to learn technical vocabulary complements teaching. RE is highly valued as part of our rich curriculum and supports children to acquire the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.
Implementation
Informed
Children learn about a variety of different religions and cultures. Children develop the knowledge and skills to engage thoughtfully and have a deep understanding of the different religions studied. At Downton we follow the Discovery RE curriculum and Understanding Christianity with the units spread across the terms and year groups, this allows our children to deeply develop different theological and faith based concepts.
Articulate
Through the teaching of subject specific technical vocabulary and opportunities to discuss and question children develop their ability to think critically and inquisitively and develop their understanding of RE. Through engaging and well resourced lessons children develop a sense of awe and wonder about themselves and the world that they live in, and they are able to discuss these with their peers and teachers.
Empowered
Religions studied covered reflect the diversity of the wider community enabling pupils to see themselves within the RE curriculum. Regular worships led by clergy, staff and the school worship council reflect both the local and international communities.
This supports their belief that they too can be thinkers. The focus on having a growth mind-set is essential in the teaching of RE empowering children with the confidence to have a go, to learn from mistakes and take a risk with their own thinking.
Children explore the purposes of RE within a context as well as its meaning within their own life and future e.g. exploring the role of RE in different communities.
Visits to places of worship empower children to understand that the amazing resources we have in the area are open to them. Visitors into school also enhance the children’s learning and deepen their understanding around topics being taught.
All children including those who have SEND or are disadvantaged and supported to fully access the RE curriculum. This may include additional adult support, adapted resources or the use of visual supports. Structured sentence stems and taught vocabulary scaffold children in discussion.
Impact
Children at Downton can express informed opinions, make connections and have a developing knowledge of a variety of religions.
Inspired by the parable of ‘The Mustard Seed’, and our values of Love, Peace and Joy, our curriculum provides opportunities for children to learn to respect and appreciate the diversity and challenges of the world beyond Downton. By focussing on knowledge of the wider world, we aim to nurture confident, independent global citizens who are able to make responsible choices and have the ability to show empathy and compassion towards others, via cultural awareness, global awareness and challenging stereotypes.
See below for our school’s long term plan.
Long term plan and progression document
Links with local churches
We are really fortunate to have strong links with our local churches. Rev Veronica from St Lawrence church in Downton leads regular worships for the whole school. We also hold our Christmas, Easter and end of year services at St Lawrence. Katy Ullyatt and Phil Rhoades also lead worships for us , they are ministers at Downton Baptist Church which is just across the road from us. Katy also leads our worship council, with support from Mrs Job and Harry our school chaplain. We visit the Baptist church for Harvest and World Faith day, and other special events. Ron Hart also leads worship for us, he is our RE link governor and he has links with both St Lawrence’s and the Baptist Church.
School chaplain
Harry is our school chaplain, he is in our school every Tuesday. He is there to help children and staff to develop their spirituality and will always lend a listening ear.
Courageous advocacy
We love to reach out to others. Some examples of this are:
We collect food for the Downton larder which is a local initiative run by the Baptist church. Different classes visit Ashley Grange our local nursing home to spend time with the residents there. Our Y5/6 children help at the local lenten lunches. We organise coffee mornings which the children run to raise money for variouc charities. The eco council chooses a charity to support each year.
We also respond to things as they happen in the community / wider world and try to reach out as events occur.
Trips and visitors
We try to bring our learning to life with trips out and visitors in.
Year 1 / 2 recently visited Salisbury Cathedral.
World Faith Day
To celebrate the diversity of our world, each year we spent a day learning and immersing ourselves in different faiths. Here our some of our photos!
Stations of the Cross
The children and staff at Downton Primary School took part in a ‘Stations of the Cross’ walk around the school. Each class created a wonderful piece of artwork which was placed around the school playground. All classes were able to walk around and reflect on each station. Members of the community joined with us. Here are some photos…
RE Day
Focusing on the parable of ‘The Mustard Seed’.
RE Day
RE lessons at Downton Primary School
