RE Intent Statement 

At St Mary of Charity School, Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum.  RE lessons are highly aspirational and challenging, exploring thought provoking questions which ensure that children at our school learn from as well as about religion.

We believe that it is vitally important for children to learn about different faiths in an honest and respectful way so they can:

• develop a broad and balanced understanding of religions within their community, the United Kingdom and worldwide.
• develop their critical thinking skills
• broaden their perspectives of faiths and cultures, encouraging tolerance of diversity
• nurture their own spiritual, social and emotional development
• contribute in a positive and determined way to being citizens of Faversham and beyond, promoting community cohesion.
• understand the similarities and differences between faiths, showing curiosity in the world we live in
• communicate their views in a respectful manner

RE at St Mary of Charity Primary School also gives children the opportunity for personal reflection as well as providing them with a safe space to ask their own questions. It encourages independent thinking and also the ability to work at a team, showing consideration for each individual’s opinions and beliefs.

By the time the children leave our school, RE will have contributed to them developing their own sense of identity and will ensure that they are well informed on the community they live in and beyond. They will be respectful, compassionate and tolerant citizens, who have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to make positive and healthy choices in life

                                                        RE Implementation Statement

Curriculum Design and Sequencing

At St Mary of Charity Primary School, our curriculum is carefully designed and sequenced to ensure breadth and depth of learning, building upon prior knowledge and experiences. We have identified a range of religious and non-religious worldviews to explore in an inclusive manner. We have considered the religious landscape of our local community and wider society to provide relevant and meaningful learning experiences for our learners.

At our school, we use the Understanding Christianity scheme to teach the Christianity units of our RE curriculum and we use the 'Kent Scheme' for the World Faith Units. In each year group there are four units of Christianity taught and two World Faith units taught across an academic year.  

We share Knowledge Organisers with the pupils as well as parents/carers via the See Saw app. These identify the key knowledge and vocabulary for each unit.

Knowledge and Skills Development

We believe that effective RE goes beyond mere factual learning. Our curriculum places an emphasis on developing key skills such as critical thinking, respectful dialogue, empathy, and reflection. Through the use of high-quality resources, our learners engage with a variety of primary and secondary sources, including sacred texts, artifacts, and visits from religious practitioners, to deepen their knowledge and understanding of different religions and worldviews.

Promoting Tolerance and Respect

Promoting tolerance and respect is at the core of our RE provision. We actively promote an inclusive environment where pupils learn about and from each other's beliefs and values, fostering a climate of understanding and acceptance. Our lessons incorporate opportunities for pupils to explore ethical and moral issues, encouraging them to consider different perspectives and develop empathy towards others. We provide a forum for respectful discussion and debate where pupils can express their own opinions, while respecting the rights and beliefs of others.

Assessment and Feedback

We believe that meaningful assessment informs teaching and learning in RE. Our assessment strategies are designed to capture pupils' progress, understanding, and application of knowledge and skills across a range of topics. Teachers use a variety of formative and summative assessment methods, including observations, questioning, and written tasks, to provide regular feedback to pupils. This enables us to identify their strengths and areas for development, supporting them in progressing in their RE learning journey.

At St Mary of Charity Primary School, we use Understanding Christianity and The Kent Agreed Syllabus for our RE teaching.