Religious Education (RE)

Our Vision

At Weston Village Primary School, we believe that Religious Education (RE) plays a vital role in developing children’s understanding of the diverse beliefs, values, and practices that shape our world. Our curriculum encourages respect, empathy, and curiosity, helping pupils to make sense of their own place in society and fostering their sense of responsibility as global citizens.

RE at Weston empowers every child to Be the Best They Can Be, in line with our Secrets of Success ethos. Through thought-provoking enquiry-led learning, children explore spiritual, moral, social, and cultural issues, developing tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect.

Intent

Our RE curriculum is underpinned by the Cheshire East Agreed Syllabus and carefully structured to ensure a broad and balanced approach to the study of world religions and non-religious worldviews. It is enriched by our enquiry-based approach, designed to engage pupils in exploring key concepts and challenging questions about meaning, purpose, and truth.

We aim for our pupils to:

• Gain knowledge and understanding of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Humanism.

• Understand the influence of faith and belief on individuals, families, communities, and cultures.

• Explore their own beliefs, values, and identity, fostering personal reflection and spiritual development.

• Develop the skills to make reasoned and informed responses to moral and ethical issues.

• Promote respect and tolerance in line with British Values and prepare children for life in modern Britain.

Inclusion is central to our approach. We ensure all children, including those with SEND and from different backgrounds, access high-quality RE. Lessons are adapted as needed to support and challenge every learner.

Implementation

RE is taught in every year group from EYFS to Year 6, following a progressive long-term plan that balances thematic and systematic approaches. The curriculum builds pupils’ knowledge over time and deepens their understanding of beliefs, values, and practices.

Our enquiry-led approach is rooted in key questions that drive learning in every unit. Children investigate concepts such as belief, identity, belonging, morality, and the impact of religion in personal and societal contexts.

The Cheshire East Agreed Syllabus forms the framework for coverage, ensuring statutory requirements are met. Our scheme also provides:

• Clear progression from EYFS to Year 6.

• Regular opportunities for reflection and discussion.

• Cross-curricular links with PSHE, RSE, Citizenship, and British Values.

Our Curriculum in Action

EYFS (Sparrows): Children learn about special people, celebrations, stories, and places. They explore Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam through stories, role play, and discussion, developing an early understanding of diversity and community.

Key Stage 1: Pupils explore key themes such as creation, belonging, and special festivals. They study Christianity and Judaism in depth, learning about the stories, beliefs, and practices of these religions. Key questions include: What makes people special? and How do people celebrate?

Lower Key Stage 2: Pupils expand their knowledge to include Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism. They explore the concept of belief, looking at sacred texts, prophets, and religious practices such as pilgrimage. Topics include The 99 Names of Allah, Diwali, and The Prophet Muhammad.

Upper Key Stage 2: Pupils engage in deeper philosophical and ethical discussions, exploring worldviews and the role of religion in society. Themes include Life After Death, Forgiveness, and Commitment to God. They also address non-religious worldviews such as Humanism.

Enrichment and Wider Opportunities

RE at Weston extends beyond the classroom:

• Visits and Visitors: Pupils visit places of worship, including churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples. Faith leaders and visitors are invited to school to share their experiences and answer pupils’ questions.

• Themed Weeks: Opportunities to explore faith and culture, including Diversity Week, Interfaith Week, and World Religion Day.

• Links with PSHE, RSE, and Citizenship: RE plays a crucial role in promoting understanding, empathy, and respect, and contributes to our wider curriculum and school culture.

• Collective Worship: Assemblies reflect Christian values, while also celebrating festivals and events from other faiths.

Impact

The impact of our RE curriculum is measured by:

• Regular assessments at the end of each enquiry, based on children’s knowledge, understanding, and reflection.

• Pupil voice activities to gauge engagement and enjoyment.

• Work scrutiny and monitoring to ensure coverage and progression.

• Discussions during collective worship and themed events.

Children leave Weston Village Primary School with a deep respect for religious and cultural diversity. They develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a strong moral compass, ready to thrive as responsible citizens in our global community.

Inclusion

RE at Weston is for everyone. We ensure full participation through:

• Differentiated tasks and questioning.

• Visual and concrete resources to support all learners, including those with SEND.

• Opportunities for all pupils to share their own experiences, perspectives, and beliefs in a safe and respectful environment.

Pupil Voice

“I loved learning about different festivals. Diwali was my favourite because we made lanterns.” – Year 3 pupil
“Aslan's mum spoke to us and helped me understand what Muslims believe. It was really interesting!” – Year 5 pupil
“We learned about forgiveness in Easter. It made me think about how I can be kinder.” – Year 6 pupil

Subject Leadership

Our RE Lead, Mrs McKenzie, ensures that RE at Weston is dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring. She provides training and support for staff, ensures progression and curriculum coverage, and works with pupils to develop their enquiry skills and understanding of worldviews. Mrs McKenzie is also responsible for liaising with external faith groups and keeping up to date with the latest guidance from the Cheshire East SACRE.

Right to Withdraw

At Weston Village Primary School, we respect the rights of parents to withdraw their children from Religious Education (RE), in accordance with statutory guidance. While our RE curriculum is inclusive and designed to promote understanding of different worldviews, we understand and support families who make this choice.

Parents/carers wishing to withdraw their child from RE lessons should arrange a meeting with the headteacher to discuss their decision. Suitable alternative arrangements are made to ensure children continue to feel valued and included in school life.

Want to know more?

Take a look at our:
📄 RE Policy
📄 RE Long Term Plan
📄 Cheshire East Agreed Syllabus Information (available upon request)