Religious Education

Curriculum Intent

Religious Education is an important element in the broad and balanced curriculum we provide at Perrymount Primary School.  Through our RE curriculum we provide opportunities to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of world religions and reflect on the challenging questions that it provokes. Lewisham, like the United Kingdom, has a rich heritage of culture and diversity, and religion and belief for many people, forms a crucial part of their culture and identity.

We believe at Perrymount that religious education encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning.  We challenge pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses. Religious education has an important role in preparing our children for adult life, employment and lifelong learning.  It enables them to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables our children to combat prejudice.

Curriculum Implementation

At Perrymount Primary School, we follow the Lewisham Agreed Syllabus for Religious education in Primary Schools. The content of this covers each of the six main religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.

During the Foundation Stage, children begin to explore the world of religion in terms of special people, books, times, places and objects. Children listen to, and talk about stories. They are introduced to specialist words and use their senses in exploring religious beliefs, practices and forms of expression.  They reflect upon their own feelings and experiences.  They use their imagination and curiosity to develop their appreciation and wonder of the world in which they live.

Throughout Key Stage 1, pupils begin to explore Christianity and three other principal religions.  They learn different beliefs about God and the world around them.  They encounter and respond to a range of stories, artefacts and other religious materials.  They learn to recognise that beliefs are expressed in a variety of ways and begin to use specialist vocabulary. They begin to understand the importance and value of religion and belief, especially for their own and other children and their families.  Children are encouraged ask relevant questions and develop a sense of wonder about the world, using their imagination.  They will talk about what is important to them and others, valuing themselves, reflecting on their own feelings and experiences and developing a sense of belonging.

Throughout Key Stage 2, the children learn about Christianity and all five of the other principal religions, recognising the impact of religion and belief locally, nationally and globally. They make connections between differing aspects of religion and consider the different forms of religious expression. They will consider beliefs, teachings, practices and ways of life central to religion. They learn about sacred texts and other sources and consider their meanings. They begin to recognise diversity in religion, learning about similarities and differences within and between religions, beliefs, and the importance of dialogue between them. Children will begin to extend the range and use of specialist vocabulary and recognise challenges involved in distinguishing between ideas of right and wrong, and valuing what is good and true. They will be encouraged to communicate their ideas, recognising other people’s viewpoints and consider their own beliefs, values, and those of others in the light of their learning in religious education.