Intent

At Woodcote Primary School, our aim is for all our children to grow as individuals, developing their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural self.  We aim for them to grow a broad and rich understanding of the key religions in our locality and the United Kingdom.  We also intend for children to develop a wider understanding of the main religious beliefs around the world, including the beliefs of people who choose to not follow a religion, and respect for beliefs that are different from their own.  

Implementation

At Woodcote Primary School we follow the aims, objectives and structure laid out in the Oxfordshire Agreed Syllabus for RE, 2015-2020, for planning RE.  We recognise this is out of date and are currently awaiting the new syllabus.

The Oxfordshire Agreed Syllabus for RE can be found here:

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/file/our-work-schools/TheAgreedSyllabus2015-2020.pdf

Learning is enhanced through a whole school approach, for example, celebrations such as the Harvest Festival (where we visit our local church and reach out to members of our local community through our collection and delivery of Harvest boxes), our EYFS and KS1 Nativity plays (where we visit the nativity story in fun and different ways) and a KS2 Carol Concert. 

We also enrich learning in RE through other curriculum areas such as cooking (for example making a Harvest loaf), dance, art and drama.

All classes learn about Christianity.  In the EYFS, children learn about the religious and cultural practices of Hinduism and Islam.  From Key Stage 1, each class  focuses on one of the main world religions.  We have included Sikhism and Buddhism to reflect the populations of our nearby towns and thus to ensure a true representation of our locality.

Impact

• The children have a developed understanding of who they are.  They have enquiring minds that can challenge and reflect on different religious and spiritual views.
• The children at Woodcote Primary School have the opportunity to learn about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to, follow a religion.
• Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life.
• The children have a developed understanding of the main world religions.  They have an appreciation of different beliefs (including those who choose not to follow a religion) and how to respect others.
• Children have a solid understanding of Christianity and the religions that make up their local community.

Assessment

RE is assessed through moderation of work, vocabulary learnt and pupil voice.  Floor books are used in KS1 to show whole class assessment and understanding of a variety of work in RE.  Talking with pupils shows their depth of understanding and appreciation of different religions and cultures.