At Christ Church, Religious Education (RE) enables children to explore faith, beliefs and values, developing a secure understanding of Christianity alongside other major world religions and worldviews. Through discussion, reflection and enquiry, pupils grow in respect, curiosity and understanding—supporting our vision of Preparing, Sowing and Growing and our Christian values which underpin all that we do.

RE has a special place within our curriculum. It is part of the basic curriculum and has equal importance to National Curriculum subjects, although it is taught through the Shropshire Agreed Syllabus rather than statutory National Curriculum programmes of study. This ensures that RE maintains both its statutory status and its distinctive focus on understanding religion and belief.

Our Vision in Religious Education

Preparing

Through RE, we prepare children for life in modern Britain by enabling them to understand a range of religious and non-religious worldviews. In line with the Shropshire Agreed Syllabus, pupils explore beliefs, practices and ways of life so they can engage respectfully with others and become informed, thoughtful citizens. RE equips pupils with the knowledge and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief and to understand the diversity of the world around them.

Sowing

RE lessons sow curiosity, compassion and understanding. By studying different faiths and exploring key questions of meaning, purpose and truth, children develop empathy and respect for others. This reflects the Shropshire Agreed Syllabus emphasis on enabling pupils to encounter a range of responses to life’s big questions. These experiences nurture Christian values such as Compassion, Respect and Friendship, supporting children in building strong, positive relationships.

Growing

As pupils progress, they grow spiritually, morally and intellectually. RE encourages children to reflect on their own beliefs and values while deepening their understanding of others. In line with the syllabus’ focus on personal development, pupils learn to express their ideas clearly, think critically and ask deeper questions. This supports values such as Courage, Responsibility and Truthfulness, helping pupils grow as reflective and confident individuals.

Why we teach Religious Education

We teach RE so that children can:

• Understand Christianity as the foundation of our school and local context
• Learn about other principal religions and non-religious worldviews
• Explore questions about life, meaning, purpose and truth
• Develop respect for diversity and different perspectives

This reflects the Shropshire Agreed Syllabus aim of enabling pupils to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live. It supports our vision by preparing pupils for life, sowing understanding and growing thoughtful, respectful individuals.

What children learn

Our RE curriculum is taught in accordance with the Shropshire Agreed Syllabus, which is designed to develop pupils’ religious literacy and deepen their understanding of beliefs, practices and worldviews.

In line with the syllabus requirements:

• Reception and Key Stage 1: Christianity, Judaism and Islam
• Key Stage 2: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Humanism
• Other religions and worldviews are referenced where appropriate, for example through festivals or thematic studies

Learning is structured through Thematic units, where pupils compare beliefs and explore big questions

We use Understanding Christianity resources and support from RE Today and NATRE, ensuring a high-quality, well-sequenced curriculum that is both engaging and academically rigorous.

Across all year groups, pupils learn to:

• Describe and explain beliefs and practices
• Ask and explore important questions about life, faith and meaning
• Compare different worldviews
• Reflect on their own ideas and values

By the end of Year 6, pupils have developed a secure understanding of different religions and worldviews and can think carefully, critically and respectfully about beliefs and values.

How we teach Religious Education

Our RE curriculum is enquiry-based, reflective and knowledge-rich, following the structure of the Shropshire Agreed Syllabus.

• Lessons are built around big questions, encouraging discussion, reflection and thoughtful responses
• Teaching follows the three elements of the syllabus:
  • Making sense of beliefs
  • Understanding the impact
  • Making connections
• A range of approaches are used, including storytelling, discussion, visits and creative activities, to bring learning to life
• Pupils visit places of worship, including a church and another faith setting, to deepen understanding of lived religion
• Vocabulary and oracy are prioritised so pupils can express ideas clearly and engage in meaningful dialogue

This approach ensures that learning is progressive and interconnected, allowing pupils’ understanding to develop over time—reflecting the message of growth within our Preparing, Sowing, Growing vision.

Preparing children for the future

Our aim is that every child leaves Christ Church:

• With a strong understanding of Christianity and other worldviews
• With respect for diversity and different beliefs
• With the ability to think deeply and ask important questions
• With a clear sense of values and responsibility

Through RE, we nurture pupils who are thoughtful, respectful and reflective, ready to contribute positively to the wider world.

Additional information for parents

Parents have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from Religious Education. Please contact the Head of School if you wish to discuss this.