Religious Education Curriculum

Religious Education Policy

RE Progression of Milestones

‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ John 10:10

In line with our Christian vision, we are committed to providing high quality RE provision that enables all pupils to flourish. At St Philip Westbrook Voluntary Aided Primary School, Religious Education will support children in developing their own beliefs, values and attitudes through an exploration of shared human experience and the place and significance of Christianity and other religions in the contemporary world; there is an emphasis on Anglican beliefs, practices and traditions.

Through the teaching of RE, we seek to enable each child to develop their own relationship with God, should they wish to do so, and be given an insight into what it means to be a person of faith. We also want children from different faith backgrounds to be encouraged in their faith.

What does the curriculum for the subject aim to achieve?

• The aims of Religious Education in our school are in line with RE Statement of Entitlement: The Church of England Education Office 2026:
  •  Engage meaningfully and critically with learning which helps them to make sense of the multi-religious
    and multi-secular world in which they live.
    • Know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of beliefs
    and practices, using approaches which engage with biblical text and key sources of authority.
    • Gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religious and non-religious worldviews, appreciating the
    complexity, diversity, continuity and change that exists within those worldviews being studied.
    • Grapple with questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience.
    • Understand the concept of religion and recognise its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and
    in the lives of individuals, communities and societies in different times, cultures and places.
    • Develop disciplinary knowledge which equips pupils to be religiously literate.
    • Explore their personal worldviews; their own religious or non-religious, spiritual and philosophical ways of
    living, believing and thinking.

Our scheme is designed to develop three key areas of religious education which are – theology, philosophy and sociology including social and human sciences.

Theology (Believing)

According to the Church of England, “This is about believing. It looks at where beliefs come from, how they have changed over time, how they are applied differently in different contexts and how they relate to each other.”

Put simply, knowledge of Bible stories and beliefs stemming from them.

Philosophy (Thinking)

According to the Church of England, “This is about thinking. It is about finding out how and whether things make sense. It deals with questions of morality and ethics.

Put simply,  the way the children think about the world around them in terms of religion and spirituality.

Sociology –  including human and social sciences (Living)

According to the Church of England, “This is about living. It explores the diverse ways in which people practise their beliefs. It engages with the impact of beliefs on individuals, communities and societies.”

Put simply, reflecting on how beliefs and values are lived out in our society by people and children.