RE (Religious Education)
Our intent
Religious Education (R.E.) is a core subject at St Peter’s Church of England Primary School and is at the centre of our ethos. We believe R.E. plays an important role in preparing pupils for lifelong learning and adult life; we endeavour to help the children become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens who understand the Christian values and who value truth and diversity and are able to make positive moral judgements.
What pupils will learn
EYFS: RE in EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) focuses on introducing children to simple religious ideas through stories, play, and everyday experiences. It is often linked to the EYFS areas of learning, especially Understanding the World and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
Children begin to learn about Christianity through:
- Stories from the Bible such as creation and the life of Jesus
- Key celebrations like Christmas and Easter
- Simple ideas about God, prayer, and church
- Visiting or learning about a church and what happens there
Children are also introduced to other beliefs across the year, through:
- Festivals like Diwali or Eid al-Fitr
- Special objects, clothing, and celebrations
- Understanding that different people believe different things
Key Stage 1: Children learn about:
- Key Bible stories (e.g. creation, miracles, and the life of Jesus)
- Important beliefs about God and Jesus
- Christian practices such as prayer, worship, and going to church
- Major celebrations like Christmas and Easter, including their meaning
Pupils are introduced to two other religions (Islam and Judaism), learning about:
- Key beliefs and ways of life
- Special people, books, and places of worship
- Festivals
Key Stage 2: Across KS2, pupils are helped to:
- Understand Christianity as a lived faith, not just a set of stories
- Explain key Christian beliefs using appropriate vocabulary
- Refer to Bible stories and texts to support understanding
- Explain key beliefs and practices from other world religions
- Use evidence from sacred texts and sources of authority
- Make thoughtful connections between belief, values and actions
- Engage respectfully with a range of viewpoints
- Think theologically (asking “big questions” about life and meaning purpose and identity)
- Reflect on their own ideas and values, alongside learning about those of others
How we teach R.E.
We recognise that a high-quality, sequential religious education is essential to our pupils living prosperous, inclusive and inspiring lives in modern Britain and the wider world and developing a sense of awe and wonder of the world around them. As a school we use the resource ‘Understanding Christianity’ which has been developed by ‘The Church of England Education Project’ and fulfils the requirements of the West Sussex Diocesan syllabus for teaching about Christianity. This resource aims “to help all teachers support pupils in developing their own thinking and their understanding of Christianity, as a contribution to their understanding of the world and their own experience within it” (The Church of England Education Office, 2016) and enables children’s learning to develop in a progressive way.
The Emmanuel Project follows the same principles, and this is used support our teaching of different faiths and beliefs. The enquiry approach of both resources aims to make RE exciting and engaging for the children. They are encouraged to think critically and ask questions of a religion as each unit focusses on a ‘Big Question’.
Children have timetabled RE sessions each week. Sometimes these may be extended or blocked to build on cross-curricular links. Learning often includes looking at artefacts (e.g. prayer mats, candles, religious symbols), role play and discussion and asking simple questions about belief and meaning. Where possible, year groups engage the children in visits to places of worship. We have strong links with St. Peter’s Church and children regularly visit and have opportunities to discuss their learning with Father Joe.
Assessment and progress
RE is assessed through discussion, observation, and pupils’ work, focusing on how well children understand beliefs, express ideas, and reflect on values, rather than just recalling facts.
An end of year summative assessment is made against clear outcomes, based on:
- Knowledge of religions and beliefs
- Understanding of meaning and impact
- Ability to reflect and make connections
Meeting individual needs
Quality first teaching is at the heart of supporting all learners. Ways to adapt in RE lessons include:
- Using images and ‘everyday life ‘to relate difficult concepts to the schemas of the children
- First hand experiences at every opportunity
- Viewpoints explored through discussion, Art and Drama
- Explicit vocabulary revisited across and theme.
- Ideas modelled and stem sentences provided
- Spaced practice and pre-exposure
Challenge
Encouraging challenge in primary school RE is about helping pupils think beyond simple recall of stories or facts and engage with deeper questions about meaning, values, and beliefs. This is done through:
- Open-ended questions
- Giving multiple perspectives
- Connecting RE to pupils’ own experiences
- Encouraging children to evaluate the importance of religious concepts eg Forgiveness
How parents and carers can help at home
Parents can support Religious Education (RE) in primary school by
- encouraging curiosity and discussing what their child learns.
- exploring different beliefs together through books, visits, or cultural experiences.
- promote respect and tolerance by modelling positive attitudes towards different religions and helping children understand values like kindness and fairness in everyday life.
- allowing children to express their own views.
Resources & useful links
NATRE – Offers a “Children and Families” section with simple explanations of religions and activities to do at home.
BBC Bitesize – Provides easy-to-understand videos, quizzes, and guides on different religions for primary-aged children.
RE:ONLINE – Includes background knowledge and support materials that parents can use to understand what children are learning.
Documents to download
Our RE Curriculum Map can be viewed by clicking here
Our RE Skills Progression document can be viewed by clicking here
Subject lead
Mrs J Jewell
Last reviewed: 13.03.26 / JJ