Our approach to our curriculum at Mendell is based upon: Consistency    Insistency    Ambition

In RE we learn about different religions

Children at Mendell Primary study Religious Education and Worldviews to develop their knowledge and understanding of religion, beliefs and religious practices across cultures and the world. Children are provided with opportunities to understand the ideas and beliefs of a diversity of religions and non-religious Worldviews. Religious Education provides pupils with opportunities to: ask questions, develop questions by comparing and analysing a range of ideas and viewpoints, and to use empathy and reflection to evaluate their learning. Through discussions and activities, children will be given opportunities to develop and use subject specific vocabulary linked to the study of religions. The Religious Education curriculum promotes questioning, discussion, critical thinking skills, reading and evaluative skills. At Mendell Primary, the curriculum is sequenced to ensure that one of the major World Religions is studied each year. Christianity is threaded throughout the curriculum each year and major Christian festivals (Christmas/ Easter) are studied in all year groups in line with the religious calendar.

Early Years and Religious Education

Our curriculum starts from EYFS and is progressive throughout Early Years, KS1, lower KS2, upper KS2 and beyond, which provides a secure foundation for learners across the school. Our Nursery class focus on the Prime Areas and start to explore the world of religion in terms of special people, books, times, places, objects and visiting places of worship. Further information for how this is built upon and is progressive can be seen on our progression map. EYFS classes are also included on the Religious Education long term plan.

Continuous Provision activities are set up to provide an enriched learning environment for children to independently apply the skills and knowledge they learn to better understand the world and develop the ‘Characteristics Of an Effective Learner’. Practitioners within the environment provide regular speaking and listening and role play opportunities.

Vocabulary and language development is key within our setting and our well-trained practitioners ask the children questions, role play with the children and model the vocabulary they want the children to understand and use throughout the day. Regular discussions about previous learning take place to help the children know more and remember more in all areas of ‘Development Matters 2020’.

The RE curriculum has been planned to:

• Allow application of learning across the subject. For example: Christmas is taught throughout the school however, in Foundation 2 they learn that Jesus was a special baby and the story of his birth. In year 1 they learn about how Christians prepare for the celebration. At the end of KS2 children investigate the prophecies relating to Jesus’ birth, which they look up, using a variety of bibles.

  
  
  
  

• Allow overlearning of key concepts in other subjects. Significant religious celebrations are celebrated through assemblies and through the work on British Values. There is significant overlap with the PHSE curriculum. RE gives students valuable insights into the diverse beliefs & opinions held by people today. Along with PHSE this supports their own personal development & provides pupils with insight that can work to challenge stereotypes, promote cohesion, and tackle extremism.

  
  
  
  

• Opportunities to revisit learning. At the beginning of each unit teachers will recap on the previous unit or previous years unit on the same religion. Comparisons and links are made between different religions. Eg in Year 2 Hanukkah the Jewish Festival of Lights is compared to the use of lights at Christmas.

Click the link below to view our RE Curriculum Progression Map.

• Reflect National Association guidance. Mendell Primary currently follows the Wirral Agreed Syllabus for RE. Additional advice is taken from NATRE (the National Association for teachers of Religious Education)

For further information, please contact our RE lead, Miss N Morning via the school office.

The lead governors for RE are Mrs A Leadbetter and Rev J Gillies