Religious Education at Sawley Junior School

Introduction

At Sawley Junior School, Religious Education (RE) encourages children to be curious about the world around them and to understand the beliefs, values and experiences that shape people’s lives. Children explore religious and non-religious worldviews, ask thoughtful questions and consider different responses to questions about belonging, purpose and how we should live.

Our curriculum develops children’s knowledge alongside respect and open-mindedness. We want every child to feel confident discussing ideas, reflecting on their own views and listening carefully to others.

Our Intent

Through our RE curriculum, we aim to:

• Develop children’s knowledge and understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hindu Dharma and Humanism.
• Explore how beliefs, teachings and traditions influence people’s choices, relationships and everyday lives.
• Encourage thoughtful questions about meaning, identity, belonging, right and wrong.
• Develop the vocabulary and confidence children need to explain their understanding and discuss different viewpoints respectfully.
• Help children recognise diversity within communities and challenge stereotypes and misunderstandings.
• Support children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, preparing them to contribute thoughtfully to life in a diverse society.

How We Teach RE

RE is usually taught through a weekly lesson, using RE Today resources in line with the Derbyshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2025–202800. Our carefully sequenced curriculum is organised around key questions that encourage children to investigate beliefs, explore different perspectives and make connections between their learning and the world around them.

Children learn through stories, religious texts, photographs, artefacts, discussion and opportunities for reflection. They explore what people believe, how those beliefs are expressed and the difference they can make to people’s lives.

Each lesson begins with a sticky knowledge quiz to revisit important learning and help children remember key knowledge over time. Teachers use these retrieval tasks, alongside classroom discussion and children’s work, to identify understanding and address misconceptions. At the end of each unit, children complete an assessment sheet based on the unit’s sticky knowledge to show what they have learned.

Building Knowledge Year by Year

Our curriculum builds on children’s earlier learning and revisits important concepts in increasing depth. Children move from identifying and describing beliefs and practices towards explaining connections, considering different interpretations and supporting their ideas with evidence.

Year 3
Children explore what it means to follow God, Christian beliefs about the Trinity and creation, and how festivals, worship and family life show what matters to Muslims and Jewish people. They also consider how people with different beliefs try to make the world a better place.

Year 4
Children deepen their understanding of Jesus’ teachings, Pentecost and the significance of Good Friday for Christians. They explore Hindu beliefs about God and what it means to be a Hindu in Britain today. They also investigate how religious and non-religious people mark significant events in life.

Year 5
Children explore Christian beliefs about God, creation, freedom and justice. They develop their understanding of Muslim life in Britain and the importance of the Torah to Jewish people. Through studying Christian and Humanist perspectives, they consider how beliefs and values influence the way people live.

Year 6
Children investigate how Christians interpret and apply Jesus’ teachings, including beliefs about the Messiah, resurrection and the Kingdom of God. They deepen their understanding of Hindu beliefs and their influence on everyday choices. They also consider why some people believe in God and others do not, drawing on their learning to discuss different perspectives thoughtfully.

Our Approach

We want all children to access RE and contribute meaningfully. Teachers adapt learning through vocabulary support, visual resources, oral rehearsal and different ways of recording ideas. Discussion gives children opportunities to develop their thinking before sharing or recording their understanding.

Children are encouraged to ask questions, listen respectfully and recognise that people within the same religion or worldview may hold different views and practise their beliefs in different ways. They can reflect on their own ideas without being expected to share personal beliefs.

Visits and visitors help children connect classroom learning with the world around them. These include visits to our local church throughout the year and workshops that introduce children to other faiths and communities.

These experiences focus on learning, observing and asking questions. Children are not expected to take part in worship. Visitors are expected to present information about their faith objectively, making clear when they are sharing their own beliefs or experiences and recognising that others may have different perspectives. These opportunities support understanding and respect without seeking to influence children’s personal beliefs.

Long-Term Plans and Relevant Documents

Please see the documents below for further information about our RE curriculum and how learning develops across Key Stage 2.

Withdrawal from RE lessons