Religious Education
How we teach, learn and assess RE at Roman Way Academy
At Roman Way, Religious Education is taught at identifiable times in Key Stage 1 and 2. In addition to the distinct curriculum time for Religious Education, we have whole school collective worship in the form of school assemblies.
In Nursery and Reception, the curriculum promotes spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and Religious Education. Religious Education is delivered flexibly, according to the statutory requirements of EYFS. Children will encounter Christianity and religions and beliefs represented in the class, school or local community. Pupils will have opportunities to listen and respond to faith stories and explore some of the ways in which these faiths celebrate important festivals. Through communication and language development, pupils are encouraged to talk about and share their ideas and experiences about their own or other faiths. Understanding of the world enables pupils to engage with artefacts, people and places and learn about key figures in their own lives.
From KS1, the ‘Religion and Worldviews’ scheme of learning from KAPOW is followed. This scheme has been chosen as it provides children with engaging, thought-provoking lessons and provides teachers with a progressive curriculum, which they can be confident in delivering. We have also ensured the KAPOW scheme of learning aligns with the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus for Religion 2023-2028.
Our programme of study has the following three strands running through it:
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Substantive knowledge (conceptual and worldviews related)
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Disciplinary knowledge
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Personal knowledge
These strands are interwoven across all units to create lessons that build children’s conceptual knowledge and understanding of religion and worldviews (substantive knowledge). Children will also be equipped to explore and express their preconceptions, personal worldviews and positionality (personal knowledge) through varied and engaging learning experiences.
Children begin to develop their awareness of religion and worldviews in Key stage 1, focusing on conceptual knowledge through the study of a limited range of religions and worldviews represented in the UK, including Christianity. This will support children in building knowledge they can refer to throughout their learning in Key stage 2 while encountering a greater range of religions and worldviews and considering further the diverse nature of religious and non-religious lived experience.
Each unit includes an overarching ‘big question’ which will be revisited throughout key stage 1 and lower key stage 2, allowing children to apply the breadth and depth of their learning across various concepts.
Each time a concept, religion or worldview is revisited, it is covered with greater complexity and in varying contexts. Progression within units and between year groups includes:
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Studying teachings, beliefs, practices and experiences in more detail.
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Moving from local to national and then global contexts.
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Making and explaining more, increasing links.
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Identifying and discussing diversity within and between religions and worldviews.
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Grappling with increasingly complex and sometimes controversial ideas (including through ‘big questions').
Useful Website Links
KS1:
BBC Bitesize KS1 Religious Education
KS2:
BBC Bitesize KS2 Religious Education
Church tour:
Virtual tours of the world's most amazing churches
Mosque tour:
Gurdwara tour:
Synagogue tour:
Buddhist temple tour: