Religious Education (RE) 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 at Longfields children learn about and from religions and worldviews in local, national and global contexts, to discover, explore and consider different answers to these questions.
At Longfields we aim to equip pupils with systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and world views, enabling them to develop their ideas, values and identities. We help them to develop an aptitude for dialogue so that they can participate positively in our society with its diverse religions and worldviews. Having the skills to coherently express their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting the right of others to differ.
The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils:
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.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 or a worldview.
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 clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.Qualities to be fostered in Religious EducationThe following should be fostered:
a) Commitment – this includes:
There are some qualities that are fundamental to RE, in that they are prerequisites for entering fully into the study of religions and learning from that experience.
understanding the importance of commitment to a set of values by which to live one’s life
willingness to develop a positive approach to life
the ability to be challenged
willingness to develop values and commitments
b) Fairness – this includes:
listening to the views of others with respect
careful consideration of other views
willingness to consider evidence and argument
readiness to look beyond surface impressions
c) Respect – this includes:
respecting those who have different beliefs and customs to one’s own
recognising the rights of others to hold their own views
discerning between what is worthy of respect and what is not
appreciation that people’s religious convictions are often deeply felt, recognising the needs and concerns of others
d) Self-understanding – this includes:
developing a sense of self-worth and value
developing the capacity to discern the personal relevance of religious questions
e) Enquiry – this includes:
curiosity and a desire to seek after truth
developing a personal interest in metaphysical questions
an ability to live with ambiguities and paradox
the desire to search for the meaning of life
being prepared to reconsider existing views
being prepared to acknowledge bias and prejudice in oneself
willingness to value insight and imagination as ways of perceiving acknowledged realities
f) Openness – this includes:
developing a sense of awe, wonder and delight
