At Barnett Wood, we believe that Religious Education has a significant role in the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. It promotes respect and open-mindedness towards others with different faiths and beliefs. Through Religious Education, pupils develop their knowledge of world faiths, and their understanding and awareness of the beliefs, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. We value the religious backgrounds of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely. It enables pupils to develop the ability to talk about their own experiences, values, ideas and beliefs whilst respecting and reflecting on others differing views.  This enables them to develop their own sense of identity and become informed, respectful members of both our school community and an ever-changing wider society.

Religious Education gives children and young people in our school a unique opportunity to reflect on and learn from the faiths and beliefs of those around them. World and local events reported through the media engage the curiosity of all students and cause them to question how such events can happen: in these days we are all too well aware of the migration of people who make our country their new home, and the many complex and varied reasons for this. Effective Religious Education has much to offer our children and young people as they prepare for life in this rapidly changing world, where critical thinking and discernment will be ever more important and valuable.

We use the 2023-28 Agreed Syllabus for Surrey as a basis for our curriculum. 

The Surrey agreed syllabus for Religious Education aims that all children:

• Demonstrate an appreciation of the nature of religion and belief and the important contribution of religious and spiritual insights and values to the individual’s search for meaning in life, whilst acknowledging that this may also come from a non-religious perspective.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity, and of the other principal religions and beliefs represented in Great Britain, both through their history and their contemporary diverse expressions.
• Develop interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion & beliefs and enhance their own spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
• Develop the ability to make reasoned, informed and creative responses to religious and moral issues.
• Recognise the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on the individual, on culture and on communities throughout the world.

In EYFS, RE is explored through ‘Understanding the World’. Children explore what makes them special and unique and begin to talk about where they belong e.g. family, clubs, etc. Children talk about different communities that others may belong to, learning about key events that may take place.

In Year 1, children explore different religious festivals including why they are celebrated and important. Children begin to explore Christianity and Judaism. They are able to explain how each festival is celebrated, identifying the key components to each festival. In addition, the children talk about their own lives e.g. any family traditions they may have and say why they are important to them.

In Year 2, children continue to deepen their knowledge around key religious festivals in today’s society. Children build on their knowledge of Christianity and Islam and begin to explore these religious festivals in greater detail. Children can recall the key aspects of each festival and look at comparing the similarities and differences between them. Children are able to give their own opinions, whilst being respectful of others’ beliefs.

Children will develop knowledge and understanding of different religions and beliefs.

Children will begin to appreciate the importance of religion in the lives of many people.

Children will develop their understanding of the influence a belief on behaviour and values.

Children will begin to consider their own beliefs, values and attitudes.

We will be able to see that the children know more and remember in more in RE, through evidence in their learning journals and pupil voice. We will also see they are able to recall prior learning and apply it. Children will then start their next year of learning with the necessary skills and knowledge to build upon.

The Right of Withdrawal from RE lessons

At Barnett Wood Infant School we wish to be an inclusive community but recognise that parents, of course, have the legal right to withdraw their children from Religious Education on the grounds of beliefs and conscience.

We would ask any parent considering this option, to contact the Headteacher to discuss any concerns or anxieties about the policy, provision and practice of RE. It may be that after due discussion, there are just ‘some’ elements that are objected to, and in which case, withdrawal may not need to be continuous.