Religious Education & Ethos
Our RE curriculum makes a powerful contribution to young people’s learning and is a very important part of our school curriculum. It provides the children with the chance to explore the big ideas of religion and belief and to think about what matters in their own lives. We are inclusive and welcoming to those of all backgrounds and faiths; all individuals are respected, supported and nurtured.
Dersingham VA Primary School: Religious Education and Worldview Curriculum Overview
Religious Education is an entitlement for all pupils and its place in the school curriculum is an acknowledgement of the important role that beliefs and values play in peoples’ lives, regardless of particular religious commitments. It is also an acknowledgement that religious beliefs and practices play a key part in the lives of many people worldwide today as they have done throughout history. As a curriculum area Religious Education offers pupils an opportunity to develop a better understanding of themselves, the people around them and the world in which they live.
As we are a Church of England Voluntary Aided School and Religious Education is provided in line with the requirements of the relevant Education Acts and follows the Statement of Entitlement; (New document printed out for you)
Christianity should be the majority study in Religious Education and it should draw upon the richness and diversity of Christian experience in the breadth of its Anglican and other denominational forms, and in the variety of worldwide forms.
The encounter must be an open one which stems from and instils respect for different views and interpretations and in which real dialogue and education takes place
Religious Education must be provided according to the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus – 2019
How we teach RE?
It’s taught with a lesson every week and children record their work in a book. Alongside this debate, discussion, drama, art, research and other active activities are encouraged throughout the block. Class discussion are recorded in a floor book.
Trips and visits are also encouraged and supported to enhance learning.
The RE Curriculum
The RE curriculum at is designed to enable progressive learning throughout the year groups covering a variety of religions in an inter linking way that enables the pupils to learn about other religions and cultures whilst reflecting on their own beliefs. In September 2020 the new Norfolk Agreed Syllabus was introduced from Year 1 to Year 6.
The new Norfolk agreed syllabus focuses on teaching RE as a multi-disciplinary subject. The three areas are to serve the following purpose;
Believing (Theology); It requires pupils to think like theologians, or to look at concepts through a theological lens. Pupils will explore questions and answers that arise from inside religions and worldviews. We have called this thinking through believing.
Thinking (Philosophy); It is about asking questions that thinkers would ask. It requires pupils to think like philosophers, or to look at concepts through a philosophical lens. Pupils will explore questions and answers raised through considering the nature of knowledge, existence and morality.
Living (Human and social sciences); It is about asking questions that people who study lived reality or phenomena would ask. It requires pupils to think like human and social scientists, or to look at concepts through a human/social science lens. Pupils will explore questions and answers raised in relation to the impact of religions and worldviews on people and their lives. We have called this thinking through living.
The units build upon the previous units as the years progress to enable maximum impact on the learners learning and allowing for deeper thinking and higher-level questioning.
There are 5 units for each year group throughout the year with a question-based topic that encourages exploration and allows allow pupils to gather their own thoughts and feelings drawn upon their day to day lives, own cultural influences and the learning that talks place in the classroom.
have a broad understanding of RE and the world around them.
Each year covers at least 50% Christianity, as set out in the Statement of Entitlement, with many units focusing on Christianity and most other units referring to Christianity.
Statement for Entitlement 2026
