Love of Learning, Love of Life itself and Love of God

Hormead First School is a Church of England Voluntary Aided School. Therefore, the provision of RE is in accordance with the Trust Deed of the school and the RE Statement of Entitlement set out by the Church of England. Our school has chosen to follow the Jigsaw RE programme.

Jigsaw RE meets the requirements of the Hertfordshire locally agreed syllabus for Religious Education and is aligned to the non-statutory curriculum guidance.  At Hormead, the units of work we have carefully chosen embrace the Christian roots of our school but also helps children in developing their own thinking and their understanding of Christianity and other religions, as well as their understanding of the wider world and their own experience within it. Children will explore core concepts and beliefs of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sanatana Dharma and Sikhism.

Intent

At Hormead, our aim is to provide a religious education (RE) curriculum that provides rich, deep opportunities for spiritual development and personal reflection. We encourage our pupils to explore their own beliefs, in the light of what they learn, as they examine issues of religious belief and faith and the impact that these have on individuals and communities. We want our children to continually develop respect and tolerance for others so that they are able to be compassionate citizens of the future who show kindness and love to all.

We intend that Religious Education will:-

• adopt an enquiry-based approach as recommended by Ofsted, beginning with the children’s own life experience before moving into learning about and from religion.
• provoke challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs, the self, and issues of right and wrong, commitment and belonging. It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, and religious traditions that examine these questions, fostering personal reflection and spiritual development.
• encourage pupils to explore their own beliefs (religious or non-religious), in the light of what they learn, as they examine issues of religious belief and faith and how these impact on personal, institutional and social ethics; and to express their responses.
• enable pupils to build their sense of identity and belonging, which helps them flourish within their communities and as citizens in a diverse society.
• teach pupils to develop respect for others, including people with different faiths and beliefs, and helps to challenge prejudice.
• prompt pupils to consider their responsibilities to themselves and to others, and to explore how they might contribute to their communities and to wider society. It encourages empathy, generosity and compassion.
• develop a sense of awe, wonder and mystery.
• nurture children’s own spiritual development.