RE at St Mary's

 

As a Church of England School, St Mary’s follows the Guildford Diocesan RE Guidelines and teaches from its unit plans. Our Christian vision and values are at the heart of everything we teach at St Mary'’s. RE is taught weekly throughout the school, giving children the opportunity to explore the deeper meanings and relevance of scripture, both for the people at the time and for today's world. Pupils enjoy the opportunity to ask questions and explore the development and teachings of the Christian faith.  They learn that Christianity (as is the case with all religions) has a broad spectrum and that cultural practice and location (both at home and globally) influence the way that people interpret The Bible and Christian narrative. Christianity is studied as a living and diverse global faith, focused on the Gospel teachings.  As our units on Christianity progress pupils develop their knowledge and skills, they learn to make links across Christianity and across other religions.

                                            

RE is taught as a robust, academic subject and has the status of a core subject. In RE lessons our children learn to ask the 'big questions' and understand that adults don't always have the answers. RE is not taught with the assumption that everyone is coming from a Christian starting point - our children are encouraged to ask questions and challenge. It is through these discussions that they develop their own views and learn to listen to others whose opinions may differ from their own. The curriculum is designed and delivered to be fully inclusive. A child who struggles in more formal areas of the curriculum, may demonstrate a deep understanding and go on to achieve high levels in RE.  Pupils' attainment and progress is tracked regularly and planning is adapted to suit learners' needs.  

 

As they progress through school, our children will become familiar with stories from the Bible which they reference frequently in class. Our children have regular opportunities to read and discuss the gospel teachings, considering both the impact on the people at the time and the relevance for Christians around the world today. The RE curriculum has links across other subject areas and is also supported by Pause Days, when a topic is explored in depth and designed to be as creative as possible, often including art, dance, drama and music.  We encourage discussion and support children to explore the similarities and differences across religions. Reflection time is a valued part of our RE lessons and supported further with half termly Godly Play sessions. The Godly Play method encourages engagement in spirituality and exploration of religious language to make meaning from Biblical stories through imagination and creativity.

 

TERM

Value

AUTUMN ONE 

Respect

AUTUMN TWO

Love

SPRING ONE

Forgiveness

SPRING TWO 

Fairness

SUMMER ONE

Honesty

SUMMER TWO

Humility

EARLY YEARS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who am I and where do I belong?

Harvest

 

 

 

Belonging

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why do we have celebrations?

Diwali

Remembrance

Advent

 

Celebration

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes something special?

Chinese New Year


 

 

Specialness

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes a place special?

Shrove Tuesday

Lent

Easter


 

Specialness

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can we learn from stories?



 

 

Specialness

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes our world wonderful?

Walk for Water


 

Specialness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YEAR 1

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTIANITY: Why do Christians call God ‘creator’?


God

Creation

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTIANITY: What is the ‘Nativity’ and why is it important to Christians?

 

Incarnation 

God 

Worship

 

 

 

ISLAM: What is important for Muslim families? 

 

Respect

Prophet 

Ibadah 

Salaam (peace) Creation

 

 

 

CHRISTIANITY: What do Christians learn from stories of Jesus?



Incarnation 

Salvation

 

 

 

JUDAISM: Why do Jewish families celebrate the gift of Shabbat?



Shabbat 

Creation 

Shalom 

rest

 

Why should we look after the world?




Golden threads

 

 

 

 

YEAR 2

 

 

 

CHRISTIANITY: What is God like for Christians?



God 

Creation

 

 

CHRISTIANITY: Why is giving important to Christians?


Incarnation 

Worship 

Kingdom

 

JUDAISM: What is the Torah and why is it so important to Jewish families?


‘Holy’ 

Torah 

Mitzvot Respect

 

CHRISTIANITY: Why do Christians call Jesus ‘Saviour’? 


Salvation

 

 

 

ISLAM: Who is Allah and how do Muslims worship him? 


Allah 

Salah 

Ibadah

 

 

What makes a good leader? 




Golden threads

 

 

 


Diocese of Guildford