RE

Religious education at Wheelock

Intent 

At Wheelock we believe teaching should equip pupils with systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, enabling them to develop their own 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 secular and non-religious 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.

These include:

• Artefacts
• Educational-clips
• Drama
• Art 
• Discussion

We take time to explore the different places of worship – this is done both by using the Internet, and where possible through first-hand experiences. This helps to develop their knowledge and understanding of the different religious rituals. We also provide opportunities throughout the year for our children to visit the local Churches and take part in a range of activities.

Implementation

At Wheelock Primary we follow the Cheshire East Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) for our content and coverage. This coverage is spread out in a Long term plan that all teachers follow. Teachers can use the SACRE planning ideas to support the implementation of the topics, however this must be placed on the personalised Wheelock primary planning format.

Religious education lessons are, where possible, taught in a block on a R.E day per half term.

We focus mainly on:

• Christianity
• Judaism
• Humanism
• Hinduism
• Islam 

This knowledge enables the children to explore RE further as they go to high school. 

If, for any reason, parents wish to withdraw their child from an R.E. lesson or an act of worship, they should contact the Head teacher and alternative arrangements will be made.

We ensure that our RE lessons are inclusive. This means that children of all abilities are encouraged to join in; this is achieved through use of support, outcome or similar simplified tasks.

Before each unit of RE is taught, the children are given a cold task to assess any prior knowledge they may have of that unit of work. It also ensures that our subsequent planning suits the needs of all children. This can also be a great opportunity for discussion and allows children to share any experiences they may have had outside of school that link to their RE unit of work. At the end of each unit, the children will complete a hot task to assess their learning and understanding of the unit of work.

Impact

When pupils leave Wheelock they should feel ‘…..ready to take their place in the global community’

They will feel….

• Equipped with knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews,
• They have developed their ideas, values and identities with these different religions and worldviews,
• Able to participate positively in society with its diverse religions and secular worldviews.
• They have the skills needed to understand, interpret and evaluate texts, sources of wisdom and authority and other evidence.
• Able to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting the right of others to differ.