R.E

Intent

At Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School, we believe that religious education makes an important contribution to the education of our young people. We aim to help our children develop their own values, beliefs and morals by learning from and about the religions of others in our diverse society.

Through RE, children develop understanding, respect and empathy for others and appreciate the range of cultures and traditions in our community and wider world.

RE is taught in accordance with the Cumbria Agreed Syllabus for RE and delivered using the 'Discovery RE' scheme of work.

In RE children are assessed over three aspects of learning:

• a personal resonance with or reflection on the material/religion being studied to answer the enquiry question.
• knowledge and understanding of the material/religion being studied to answer the enquiry question.
• evaluation/critical thinking in relation to the enquiry question.

Implementation

EYFS

In EYFS, RE is an integral part of our Understanding the World curriculum, allowing children the opportunity to learn about different religions and cultures different to their own. RE lessons in Reception are planned progressively through Oak Academy, ensuring the children build on their own knowledge and embed new learning. We learn about different religions and cultures through celebrations including; Christmas, Diwali and Lunar New Year. 

In Religious Education, we learn about Christianity and one other world religion, namely Judaism in Year 1 and Islam in Year 2.  We learn about different beliefs about God and the world around us.  Children encounter and respond to a range of stories, artefacts and other religious materials. We also learn about similarities and differences and to respect other people’s faiths and views.

Children will talk about what is important to them and others, valuing themselves, reflecting on their own feelings and experiences and developing a sense of belonging.

An enquiry-based approach to teaching and learning is used at Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School. We use Discovery RE to teach Religious Education from Nursery until Year 2. Each unit begins with a ‘Big Question’ which the children can instantly engage with, regardless of their own beliefs and world views. Children are able to explore the question thorough a 4 step enquiry process starting with engagement followed by investigation, evaluation and expression.

Enrichment

At Kingmoor Nursery and Infant School we value first-hand experiences and understand their importance on a child's learning and understanding. Teachers plan experiences including trips to places on worship in the local community including St Peters. We work closely with the local community and our local Vicar visits school for assemblies and to join class discussion. Objects and artefacts are often used to enrich learning, through loan boxes from Carlisle Cathedral and Tullie House, these give children opportunities to handle and explore objects and deepen their understanding.

We are members of CDEC, giving teachers access to a wide range of virtual visits, giving children an experience of a places and buildings we can't visit due to location. CDEC also allows teachers to plan using loan boxes containing objects from a wide range of cultures and religions.

Through Global Learning, children gain a deeper understanding of the wider world and different cultures and religions. 

Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mindfulness means cultivating a sense of awareness on purpose, in a non-judgemental way in the present
moment. Teachers will use mindfulness practices to build children’s self-awareness and
skills of reflection, thus supporting their RE learning as well as their personal spiritual development

Impact

• Children develop an understanding of different religions and key beliefs in everyday society.
• Children use key vocabulary when talking about each religious festival.
• Children are able to make sense of the world around them, including their place in it.
• Children develop tolerance and respect for those around them. 
• We will be able to see that the children know more and remember in more in RE, through evidence in their learning journals and pupil voice. We will also see they are able to recall prior learning and apply it.
• Children will then start their next year of learning with the necessary skills and knowledge to build upon.