At Hereward, we aim to provide RE teaching which contributes to a balanced and broadly based curriculum. It allows children to develop their spiritual, moral, social, cultural and intellectual skills. It provides a sense of enjoyment and fascination as they make connections with the people and the world around them. It allows them to gain the knowledge and skills they need to be a valuable part of the ‘community’ at each level. Through their ability to analyse and explain a variety of beliefs and practices, children are given the opportunity to critically reflect on identity, diversity, meaning and the value of a range of issues. It prepares children for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences now and in later life. RE contributes to pupils’ personal development and well-being and to community cohesion by promoting mutual respect and tolerance in a diverse society.

Religion and beliefs inform our values and are reflected in what we say and how we behave. RE helps to develop an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the religions and beliefs which form part of contemporary society.

At Hereward, we aim for our RE teaching to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, of other principal religions, other religious traditions and worldviews.

RE also contributes to pupils’ personal development and well-being and to community cohesion by promoting mutual respect and tolerance in a diverse society. RE can also make important contributions to other parts of the school curriculum such as citizenship, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE education), the humanities, education for sustainable development and others. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development, deepening the understanding of the significance of religion in the lives of others – individually, communally and cross-culturally.

We use the Essex Local Authority RE Syllabus as our starting point to plan activities which promote the development listed above.

Please speak to our Religious Education Co-ordinator, Mr Helm, if you require further information.