RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
At Paxton, the RE Curriculum develops pupils' knowledge and understanding of key religions, beliefs and traditions. In particular, students learn about Islam, Christianity and Judaism as the three Abrahamic faiths, alongside Sikhism, Buddhism (Lambeth), Humanism (Southwark) and Hinduism. As our federation spans two different London boroughs, each school follows the SACRE Syllabus for their respective municipality.
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Children learn essential facts and concepts about the different faith groups while being taught key skills such as comparing and contrasting, making connections, analysing and evaluating ideas and theories and how to empathise with people from different traditions and backgrounds.
Children’s religious learning in EYFS starts with the familiar: their own identity and those of their families. They explore celebrations and stories, learning about what happens during important religion festivals throughout the year.
In Key Stage One, the focus on storytelling continues with topics looking deeper at the stories behind Easter, Christmas, the life of Muhammad, Jesus, prophets, gurus and characters from the Old Testament. Additionally, building on the Foundation Stage, pupils learn how festivals are celebrated throughout a community and what it means for a person to believe in God. Additionally, in year 2, they explore how belief might influence the way that a person behaves.
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In Key Stage Two, children build on their understanding of their own identity and belonging while comparing their own experiences with others’. They are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs (whether they are religious or non-religious) and consider the impact of what they are learning. They are encouraged to analyse and make connections between different beliefs, considering how faith impacts the believer’s world view. Children think critically about morality, truth, right and wrong. They explore religious responses to war, poverty and injustice. This allows them to investigate the relationship between RE, art, philosophy and social history, asking difficult questions and considering the impact of the answers.
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Across all key stages, children express their learning through drama, art, discussion and writing. We celebrate important religious festivals throughout the year as whole school events, involving our local faith communities and families.
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At Paxton the importance of religious education, we believe, is pivotal in helping children and young people to grow into respectful citizens who make a positive contribution to our diverse city. RE provokes challenging questions about the meaning of life, identity, community, ethics and social justice.
BIG
Questions
Each half-termly unit is underpinned by a BIG Question which supports the children’s learning.
NURSERY
Celebrating special times.
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YEAR 1
What does it mean to belong?
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YEAR 3
How are symbols and sayings important in religion?
YEAR 5
How do beliefs influence actions?
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RECEPTION
Understanding our identity, stories and what they tell us.
YEAR 2
Can stories change people?
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YEAR 4
What is special to me and people in my community?
YEAR 6
How important are the similarities and differences between and within religions?
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Right To Withdraw Your Child
The right of parents to withdraw their children from Religious Education (RE) lessons is set out in section 71(1) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.
This states:
A parent of a student at an academy can request that their child is wholly or partly excused from:
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Receiving RE given in the school in accordance with the school’s basic curriculum
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Parents who withdraw their child from all or part of the school’s RE curriculum do not have to provide a reason. The school must comply with their request, although a school should ensure parents or carers are informed of this right and are aware of the educational objectives and content of the RE syllabus.
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If students are withdrawn from RE, schools have a duty to supervise them, though not to provide additional teaching or to incur extra cost. Students will usually remain on school premises. Parents are not permitted to supervise their child during these lessons.
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The rules that apply to withdrawing students from RE lessons do not apply to other lessons that look at religion. Therefore, a student cannot be withdrawn from any National Curriculum subject, even if they teach about religion, other than RE or some aspects of sex and relationship education (RSE).
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If you think you would like to discuss withdrawing your child from RE lessons, please contact the school at office@paxtonprimary.co.uk and address your email for the attention of the Headteacher, Mr J Muhammad.