Religious Education
To become upstanding members of a diverse and awe inspiring world.
And so I present you with my learning; I hold it high, so that its light can be seen everywhere, like that of the rising sun.
- Sirach 24:32
Religious Education in Bolsover Church of England Junior School will enable every child to flourish and to live life in all its fullness. (John 10:10). It will help educate for dignity and respect, encouraging all to live well together. Such an approach is offered through a commitment to generous hospitality, being true to our underpinning faith, but with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions, worldviews and for the religious freedom of each person.
RE at Bolsover Church of England Junior School is designed to engage, inspire, challenge and encourage pupils into exploring different religious beliefs, values and traditions whilst developing a rigorous understanding of the practices that are followed in our multi-cultural society. We want them to know how religious education promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice, preparing them for adult life, employment and life-long learning beyond Bolsover.
At Bolsover Church of England Junior school, we believe in actively promoting our fundamental British Values. Therefore, we believe that our RE classroom must be a democratic classroom where all pupils have an equal right to heard and democracy is modelled by the teacher and expected of every child. In RE, the children examine different codes for living and consider the value of the rule of law, where all people are equal before the law. They consider questions about identity and belonging. Religion is a good case study of the balance between individual liberty and the greater good. In our school, RE challenges children to show mutual respect and tolerance alongside celebrating diversity of different cultures, faiths and beliefs.
RE at our school is a core subject, giving it a prominent and important role in the lives of all our pupils. The RE curriculum is planned sequentially to build upon pupils’ prior learning and to include many rich experiences, where pupils are stimulated and challenged. Through the Understanding Christianity resource, we aim to develop a deep knowledge and empathy of Christian belief and practice from a theological perspective.
At Bolsover Church of England Junior school, we strive to educate our children on the importance of understanding the world that they are growing up in, and learn how to live alongside, and show respect for, a diverse range of people. Through ‘teachable moments’ in our curriculum, we aim to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010. We are determined to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it thus evolving all children’s personal development regardless of outside influences.
At Bolsover Church of England Junior School our RE teaching and learning promotes the pupil’s SMSC and Cultural Capital by:
- Developing their ability to be reflective about their own beliefs and perspective on life.
- Having a knowledge of and respect for different people’s faiths, feelings and values.
- Developing independence through learning about themselves, others and the wider world in imaginative and creative ways.
- Considering the consequences of their behaviour and actions on others.
- Recognising the difference between right and wrong, applying this to their lives.
- Appreciating and supporting the viewpoints of others in regard to ethical issues.
- Engaging and cooperating effectively with people from a diverse range of belief systems.
- Understanding the wide range of cultural influences in their heritage and that of those around them and appreciating the things we have in common.
- Participating and responding positively to creative, artistic and musical opportunities.
- Embracing cultural diversity locally, nationally and globally.
Subject Leader
The subject co-coordinator for Religious Education in school is Mrs Rebecca Stone, who can be contacted on 01246 822324, or via our school email at info@bolsover-jun.derbyshire.sch.uk.
Our Religious Education nominated governors are: Ms Pamela Hall and Ms Rachel Gouldthorpe (Reverend Rachel) who can be contacted via the same contacts above.
If you would like to withdraw your child from all, or part, of the RE curriculum, please contact Mrs Stone on the information above.
Purpose of Study:
Religious Education contributes dynamically to children and young people’s education in schools by provoking challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.
In RE pupils learn about and from religions and worldviews in local, national and global contexts, to discover, explore and consider different answers to these questions.
Pupils learn to weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources, to develop and express their insights in response, and to agree or disagree respectfully.
Teaching therefore should equip pupils with systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, enabling them to develop their ideas, values and identities.
It should develop in pupils an aptitude for dialogue, so that they can participate positively in society, with its diverse religions and worldviews.
Pupils should gain and deploy the skills needed to understand, interpret and evaluate texts, sources of wisdom and authority and other evidence. They should learn to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting the right of others to differ.
The purpose of RE is captured in the principal aim, which is intended to be a short-hand version for day-today use. Teachers should use it for short-term and long-term planning, to remind them of the purpose articulated above.
Aims of Religious Education:
The principal aim of RE is to engage children in the efficient enquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and evaluate varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own.
The threefold aim of RE elaborates the principal aim.
The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils:
1. Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that they can:
- describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity, which exists within and between communities, and amongst individuals
- identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses, offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews
- appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
2. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:
- explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities
- express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about
- identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues
- appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion.
3. Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can:
- find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively
- enquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all
- articulate beliefs, values and commitments
As a Church of England School, RE is delivered in accordance with the Derbyshire Agreed Syllabus and the Understanding Christianity Project.
Subject Policies and Guidance
Religious Education Policy
Religious Education Curriculum Addendum - due to Remote Home Learning
Curriculum Document - What do the progression in knowledge, skills and vocabulary for Religious Education look like at Bolsover?
Religious_Education_Curriculum_KSV_Document
In School Gallery
Assessing in Religious Education
Assessment of pupil progress in RE aims to assist pupils in understanding their own progress, aid teachers with the teaching cycle, as well as informing the monitoring of progression and attainment. Teachers show on their plans when, what and how they mean to assess pupil’s progress, this is usually replicated on the toolkits used for the lesson so that the children understand what is expected of them (See Marking and Feedback Policy). Teachers make effective use of informal and formal assessments using a range of Assessment for Learning (AfL) techniques. These assessments made throughout the academic year are recorded and are used to inform the end of year reports to parents/guardians.
On completion of a unit of work, we make a summary judgement about the work of each pupil in relation to the expectations of the unit. We record the progress on skills sheets for assessment, which we use as a basis for assessing the progress of each child, for setting new goals, and for passing information on to the next teacher at the end of the year.
In line with the school policy, the subject leader monitors the planning for all year groups as well as analysing the data collected after each unit and acts accordingly. The coordinator is also responsible for carrying out work scrutinies, evaluations of lesson planning, conducting pupil interviews, discussions with pupils, staff, governors and parents as well as carrying out lesson observations and learning walks. A portfolio of work is maintained in the children’s RE books and on OneNote as evidence and to support the assessments carried out by teachers.
Careers in Religious Education - What do we know about theological careers?
For those children who are interested in studying religion, a career in Theology is the perfect choice. Having the opportunity to learn more about one’s faith is often seen as an opportunity that’s too good to pass up. However, when most people think of a theology career they automatically assume the only available job is that of minister. Yet, the fact is a theology degree can lead to many careers other than the ministry, with each offering excellent salaries and the chance to use one’s training in various settings. As more people than ever before look at religion and spirituality as a major part of their lives, theology careers have allowed many people with religious training to enter a number of mainstream careers.
The teaching and learning of Religious Education supports careers, such as:
- Religious Education Teacher
- Minister
- Chaplain in the: Navy, Army, RAF, Prison, Hospital
- College Faculty
- Writer/Reporter
- Executive Director
- Social Worker
- Volunteer Recruiter
- Fund - Raising Specialist
- Bible Translator
Find more information here:
https://www.ucas.com/job-subjects/religious-studies
Stuck for help at home? Here are some useful websites for you to use!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z7hs34j
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPh-x51A3wM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/site/re.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcVQGoalfnk
https://kids.kiddle.co/Christianity#Types_of_Christianity
https://kids.kiddle.co/Protestant
https://kids.kiddle.co/Catholicism