Religious Education
At Garden Suburb Infant School, we value the wide variety of faith backgrounds of our diverse school community, and also those who do not have a faith background. We aim to provide children with a range of opportunities and experiences in Religious Education (R.E.) so they develop a broad understanding of the subject.
The children learn about the beliefs and traditions of different religious communities to help prepare them for life in modern Britain.
We provide learning opportunities to encourage curiosity, develop understanding and instil the tolerance needed to thrive in our diverse community.
We follow the Barnet Locally Agreed Syllabus 2019 for R.E. You can download this from the bottom of this page. The aim of Religious Education in the Agreed Syllabus in Barnet is to enable students to explore the nature of religion and fundamental questions of human experience. Religious Education should therefore help pupils to:
- Develop and extend knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other world faiths, and of ethical beliefs.
- Develop an understanding of the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals, communities and societies.
- Enhance and reflect on their own spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
- Grow in confidence in their own faith and respect those with a faith different from their own.
- Develop a positive attitude to living in a religiously diverse society.
- Develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues.
We promote the British Values, as exemplified in our School Code (Be Kind; Be Fair; Be Honest; Be Safe), and the children’s Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development.
Our children are encouraged to value themselves and their peers, through learning about life events and celebrations, children can share their own experiences and be enriched by those of others.
We are currently reviewing our curriculum map in RE, to ensure it meets the needs of our school community, with the support of a Barnet RE consultant.
RE in the Early Years foundation stage (EYfs)
In the EYFS, teachers plan in accordance with the EYFS Statutory Framework supported by Development Matters 2021.
In the EYFS, RE understanding is developed through continuous provision as well as focus activities. Children explore what makes them special and unique. They begin to talk about where they belong and acknowledge people, places and events that are special to them e.g. seasonal celebrations and life events. Through the sharing of personal experiences, children develop their understanding of similarities and differences with those around them
RE in key stage one (years 1 and 2)
In KS1, teachers plan RE lessons carefully and follow closely the Agreed Barnet Syllabus according to Barnet SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education.) SACRE is a statutory part of local government and its main function is to advise the local authority on matters related to RE and collective worship in schools.
Lessons for each year group are planned to ensure that children develop the necessary skills needed to deepen their understanding and knowledge in RE. We include the teaching of religious festivals and celebrations when they occur in the annual calendar, to ensure children have meaningful experiences.
The yearly overview in RE for Key Stage One can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
