Religious education at Knightwood will empower children to understand themselves, others and the wider world.  We will enable all children to show kindness and respect towards people of all backgrounds, race and religion. Children will develop a curiosity and genuine interest in learning about the unknown.

Intent:

RE at Knightwood strives to instil values which contribute to a child’s development holistically and creates a sense of belonging for all children. It provides an opportunity for all children to share their own understanding  and experiences, encouraging curiosity in others in a respectful way. It facilitates age appropriate discussions, allowing each child to think critically, reflect on moral issues in a religious context while promoting empathy and acceptance of others. The curriculum is coherently planned and sequenced to ensure that meaningful links are made between previous and future learning and other subjects to strengthen connections and understanding. We will prepare children for the KS3 RE curriculum and pave the way for a confident and successful transition.

Implementation:

The RE curriculum at Knightwood follows the Agreed Syllabus for Hampshire - Living Difference IV which uses the ‘Cycle of Enquiry’ to focus on a concept. It aims to reflect the diversity of our school.      

• Golden Threads - taught throughout their school life  
• Making connections and developing vocabulary 
• Cycle of Enquiry - Communicate, Apply, Inquire, Contextualise and Evaluate 
• Ask a big question with the aim to answering this at the end of the unit.
• Outcomes through creativity - drama/ art/ experiences/ conversations/ questioning etc. 
• Have visitors, visits and artefacts to enhance learning
• Encourage children and families who do have a faith, to celebrate and share.

The religions we teach are:

• EYFS and KS1 - Christianity and Hinduism
• LKS2 - Christianity and Judaism
• UKS2 - Christianity and Islam (Y6 - Humanism)

Impact:

By the time children leave Knightwood they will:

• have an understanding of different religions.
•  have begun to develop their own views and beliefs
•  have respect and tolerance for beliefs other than their own
•  show kindness towards those who have differing opinions to their own
•  have experienced visiting a place of worship by the time they leave Knightwood
•  be encouraged to record their learning in different ways to ensure our curriculum is accessible for all. 

The impact of Knightwood’s RE curriculum on each child is measured through the following methods: pupil conferencing, images of practical learning, pupil discussion, low stake quizzing. Teachers use careful assessment for learning through targeted questioning to identify misconceptions which they address through discussion, adjustments to planning and teaching.

The right to withdraw:

RE is a valuable subject that teaches children about the world around them. However, parents have the right to withdraw their child from the teaching of RE. To do so please contact the Headteacher in writing to notify them.

Schools are under obligation to supervise children withdrawn from RE teaching. However, they are not obliged to provide alternative teaching. 

At Knightwood, where parents exercise this right, children will be provided with an independent learning task such as reading or revision work within an area of the classroom.

Why is RE important?
Watch this short animation exploring the concept of 'Worldview'. Working in collaboration with Theos Think Tank, Culham St Gabriel's Trust and Canterbury Christ Church University. Directed, animated & designed by Emily Downe Words by Emily Downe, Trevor Cooling and Bob Bowie Music & Sound by Jan Willem de With