Religious Education
Intent
Religious Education (RE) has a significant role for the development of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. It promotes respect and open-mindedness towards others with different faiths and beliefs and encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging through self-awareness and reflection.
At Cedar Park School and Nursery, Religious Education teaches children about the nature of religious beliefs and practices and the importance and influence of these in the lives of believers. Religious Education is part of the school curriculum and makes an important contribution to the spiritual, moral, and cultural development of pupils. We aim to promote a caring and stimulating environment where the children are encouraged to develop a respect for themselves and others.
Our vision is to provide high quality RE education that engages and inspires pupils to develop an understanding about Christianity and other religions and worldviews.
Implementation
At Cedar Park, we acknowledge the importance of developing children’s awareness about different religions and worldwide views in our society. Therefore, it is our school’s aim to equip children with the relevant knowledge and understanding that will enable them to accept and see people as individuals with individual beliefs and views. We provide children with the ability to improve their knowledge and understanding, by following the core principles set out in the Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus 2022-2027.
Jigsaw RE
We use the ‘Jigsaw’ scheme, which supports the core principles set out in the Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus 2022-2027. Jigsaw RE is a set of detailed medium-term plans for RE from Nursery to Year 6. It adopts an enquiry- based approach to teaching and learning through a 4-step approach (Engagement, Investigation, Evaluation and Expression).
Across their time at Cedar Park, children will be exposed to the 7 major worldviews and will be taught one of these alongside Christianity each year. For example, Year 1 will be taught about Christianity and Judaism, where the will explore Easter and Shabbat.
Jigsaw also promotes the use of a ‘distancing object’ so that children feel confident to ask questions and share their views in a safe and encouraging environment. Each year group utilises a member of the ‘Owl Crew’ (see below).
The Owl is wise and therefore takes time to answer so training the children to ask a question of the owl but not expect an immediate answer, allows the teacher time to check their subject knowledge with the Background Information or to seek advice, in order to make sure that a suitable and correct answer is given. Asking the children to write their questions and then put them into a post-box for the Owl, gives the teacher a further insight into the children’s understanding and can help assessment.
Some of our curriculum aims at Cedar Park is to ensure that learning is engaging and life-long. To support these aims in RE, we will intend to include a visit to a place of worship or will be supported by a religious visitor.
Impact
Through our RE curriculum, children will become more knowledgeable about the world around them and will demonstrate respect and tolerance of the different belief systems. These are fundamental parts of the British Values and key to being successful citizens. Children will also be able to demonstrate their own views of the world and share their thoughts and questions in a confident manner.
Withdrawal from the RE Curriculum
“In the UK, parents have the right to withdraw their child from RE on the grounds that they wish to provide their own RE. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. The right for withdrawal exists for all pupils in all types of school. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of the RE curriculum, and can do so without giving any explanation.” (NATRE)
If you would like to withdraw your child, from part or the whole of the RE curriculum, please e-mail your request to Mr Redman via the school office (office@cedarpark.bucks.sch.uk).