Within the curriculum RE provides a reminder that education concerns the whole person – body, mind and spirit, and enables pupils to explore meaning and purpose in their lives.

RE aims to help pupils develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about the religions and moral issues which arise from reflection on human experience and a study of religious belief and practice. Our main concept threads for RE are: Christianity; Diversity; Morality and Debate; Faith and Beliefs; Culture

Our specific aims are to:

1. Provide a broad and balanced RE curriculum within the framework of statutory requirements and those of the locally agreed syllabus.
2. Promote opportunities for the cultivation of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
3. Develop pupils’ knowledge and appreciation of Christianity and other principal religions in Great Britain.
4. Support pupils in reflecting and thinking about fundamental human beliefs and values so that they can develop a personal framework by which to live.

Great Chart Primary School bases its RE teaching on the Discovery Scheme of Work in accordance with the law.

RE is a foundation subject with the status of a core subject in the National Curriculum.

The fundamental skills, knowledge and concepts of the subject are set out in ‘RE in the National Curriculum’ where they are categorised into two attainment targets:

• AT1 To enable pupils to acquire knowledge and develop conceptual understanding of and insight into religious belief, values traditions and practices.
• AT2 To encourage a reflective approach to the study of religious faith and experience so that pupils might use their learning to make sense and meaning of their own beliefs, values and life experience.

There is no specialist teaching in RE. It is taught by all class teachers, using a variety of teaching and learning strategies. Any teacher has a right not to teach RE if they so choose.

All parents have the right to withdraw pupils from RE lessons.