Religious Education
Curriculum Intent
Religious education enables children to investigate and reflect on some of the most fundamental questions asked by people. At Ponsbourne St Mary’s Church of England School, we aim to develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of the major world faiths. We enable children to develop a sound knowledge not only of Christianity but also of other world religions. Children reflect on what it means to have a faith and to develop their own spiritual knowledge and understanding. We help the children learn from religions as well as about religions.
RE is an integral and vital part of our school curriculum and we hope that all children will take part. However, any parent can request permission for their child to be excused from attending RE (please see policy).
Curriculum Implementation
Our units of work are arranged around the eight key areas of learning from the Hertfordshire Agreed Syllabus 2017-2022: Beliefs and Practices; Sources of Wisdom; Symbols and Actions; Prayer, worship and reflection; Identity and Belonging; Ultimate Questions; Human Responsibility and Values and Justice and Fairness. The Understanding Christianity resource and the Emmanuel Project are also used throughout the school. As we have mixed-age classes, we carry out the medium-term planning on a two-year rotation cycle. We have planned the units so that where possible, children are covering the same theme but at an age-appropriate level.
In addition to the rolling plan, we hold three R.E. curriculum weeks each year, one themed around Christianity and two around other faiths. As part of these weeks, we visit local places of worship and invite speakers into school.
Adventurers (Early Years) Religious Education
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Autumn Term 1 |
Autumn Term 2 |
Spring Term 1 |
Spring Term 2 |
Summer Term 1 |
Summer Term 2 |
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Identity and Belonging What is special about me? (2 weeks) Creation Why is the word ‘God’ so important to Christians? Includes an encounter with ‘A Muslim whispering Allah in a baby’s ear’ |
Incarnation Why do Christians perform Nativity plays? Includes an encounter with ‘A Muslim story: Muhammad and the Ants’ |
Salvation How can we help others when they need it? Includes an encounter with ‘A Sikh story: Har Gobind and the 52 Princes’ |
Salvation Why do Christians put a cross in an Easter garden? Includes an encounter with ‘A Buddhist story: The Monkey King’ |
Incarnation What makes every single person unique and precious? Includes an encounter with ‘Hindus celebrating at Raksha Bandhan’ |
Creation How can we care for our wonderful world? Includes an encounter with ‘Tu be Shevat: the Jewish ‘Birthday of Trees’ |
Explorers (Years 1 and 2) Religious Education Year A
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Autumn Term 1 |
Autumn Term 2 |
Spring Term 1 |
Spring Term 2 |
Summer Term 1 |
Summer Term 2 |
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Identity and Belonging How do I belong (2 weeks) Christianity: Creation Who made the World? |
Christianity: Incarnation Why does Christmas matter to Christians?
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Judaism Teshuvah: Why do Jewish families talk about repentance at New Year? |
Christianity: Salvation Why does Easter matter to Christians? |
Christianity: Gospel What is the good news that Jesus brings? |
Judaism: Why is the Torah such a delight for the Jewish community? |
Explorers (Years 1 and 2) Religious Education Year B
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Autumn Term 1 |
Autumn Term 2 |
Spring Term 1 |
Spring Term 2 |
Summer Term 1 |
Summer Term 2 |
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Identity and Belonging What does it mean to be a follower? (2 weeks) Judaism: Creation/ blessings Why do Jewish families say so many prayers and blessings? |
Christianity: Incarnation Why does Christmas matter to Christians?
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Islam Mercy and Compassion: How do some Muslims show Allah is compassionate and merciful? |
Christianity: Salvation Why does Easter matter to Christians? |
Christianity How does celebrating Pentecost remind Christians that God is with them always? |
Christianity: God What do Christians believe that God is like? |
Pioneers (Years 3 and 4) Religious Education Year A
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Autumn Term 1 |
Autumn Term 2 |
Spring Term 1 |
Spring Term 2 |
Summer Term 1 |
Summer Term 2 |
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Identity and Belonging How do I know where I belong (2 weeks) Christianity: Creation What can we learn from Creation stories? (Contrast Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam) |
Christianity: Incarnation What is the Trinity?
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Judaism Covenant: What symbols and stories help Jewish people remember their covenant with God? |
Christianity: Salvation Is the cross a symbol of love, sacrifice or commitment for Christians? (Emmanuel resource) |
Christianity: Gospel What kind of world did Jesus want? |
Hinduism: Why do Hindus want to collect good karma? |
Pioneers (Years 3 and 4) Religious Education Year B
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Autumn Term 1 |
Autumn Term 2 |
Spring Term 1 |
Spring Term 2 |
Summer Term 1 |
Summer Term 2 |
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Identity and Belonging What does it mean to be a follower? (2 weeks) Christianity How do Christians show that reconciliation with God and other people is important? |
Hinduism: Dharma How does the story of Rama and Sita inspire Hindus to follow their dharma?
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Islam Prophethood: Why do Muslims call Muhammad the ‘seal of the prophets’? |
Christianity: Salvation Why do Christians call the day Jesus died ‘Good Friday’? |
Christianity: Kingdom of God When Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost? |
Christianity: People of God What is it like to follow God? |
Discoverers (Years 5 and 6) Religious Education Year A
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Autumn Term 1 |
Autumn Term 2 |
Spring Term 1 |
Spring Term 2 |
Summer Term 1 |
Summer Term 2 |
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Identity and Belonging Does my faith affect the way I live today? (2 weeks) Christianity: Creation Creation and Science – can religion and science both be right? |
Christianity: Incarnation Was Jesus the Messiah?
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Judaism What is holiness for the Jewish people: a place, a time, an object or something else? |
Christianity: Salvation What did Jesus do to save human beings? |
Christianity: Gospel What would Jesus do? |
Hinduism: What spiritual pathways to Moksha are written about in Hindu scriptures? |
Discoverers (Years 5 and 6) Religious Education Year B
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Autumn Term 1 |
Autumn Term 2 |
Spring Term 1 |
Spring Term 2 |
Summer Term 1 |
Summer Term 2 |
|
Identity and Belonging What might be the most difficult aspect of being a Jew, Christian or Muslim in Britain today? (2 weeks) Christianity What does it mean if God is holy and loving? |
Hinduism: Brahman How do questions about Brahman and Atman influence the way a Hindu lives?
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Islam Tawhid: How does Tawhid create a sense of belonging to the Muslim community? |
Christianity: Salvation What difference does the resurrection make for Christians? |
Christianity: Kingdom of God What kind of a king is Jesus? |
Christianity: People of God How can following God bring freedom and justice? |