Religious Education

We use the Questful RE scheme of work, as recommended by the Diocese of Carlisle - see long term plan for each age range for details and our RE policy.  We understand that recognising and respecting different faiths is an essential part of the diverse and modern society and our RE lessons teach our pupils about Christianity along with other faiths, as well as giving them opportunities to think about their own responses to faith questions.  Children learn from and about faith.  We provide children with the knowledge and understanding of a range of beliefs in order for them to make informed choices about their own spirituality whilst being able to respect and understand the faith and practices of others. 

At Patterdale we aim to:

•  enable pupils to know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs, using an approach that critically engages with biblical text.
•  enable pupils to gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews appreciating diversity, continuity and change within religions and worldviews studied.
•  facilitate pupils' engagement with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience.
•  enable pupils to recognise the concept of religion and its continuing influence on Britain's cultural heritage and in the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places.
•  encourage pupils to explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways through living, believing and thinking.

As a Church of England school, Patterdale CofE School considers Religious Education a core area of learning, devoting a minimum of 5% of curriculum time to the subject.  We follow units of work from Questful RE (Diocese of Blackburn).  The children explore the major aspects of Christianity and other world faiths. The children learn about the beliefs, customs and practices to develop a deeper understanding and awareness. Parents have a right to withdraw their children from RE.    

Intent

We believe that it is vital for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand themselves and the world around them. We provide opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge of world faiths as well as experience the key concepts and questions of Christianity. Our children leave us with a thorough understanding and awareness of religious practices across the world. They know the importance of worship and can explain the key religious practices of the major religions of the world. As a school family our children are given every opportunity to explore their beliefs and faith, develop their own spirituality and celebrate/experience important liturgical events across the year.

Implementation

As a Church of England school, we follow the Questful RE syllabus throughout school. This curriculum enables children to ‘go on a quest’ and discover more about religion and world views as well as develop their own spirituality and personal reflection. The explicit teaching of Christian concepts and God’s big salvation story, give the children a deeper understanding of Christianity (The Blackburn Diocese Board of Education 2022). 

Our curriculum is further enhanced through visits to places of worship as well as visitors to school.  Children lead prayer and worship both in school and church. This supports the children’s learning as well deepening their connection with their faith. It also helps to foster and further strengthen our church/school partnership and the children’s relationship with their church.

Impact

We hope that all of our children will be able to flourish and take their place in the world as global citizens who display empathy and respect towards others thereby fully living out the Christian Vision for Education of wisdom, hope, community and dignity (Church of England, 2016). We believe our curriculum helps educate our children for dignity and respect encouraging all to live well together (Church of England, 2019).

Collective Worship

Collective Worship is the most special time of each day at Patterdale C of E Primary School. It is the time when we gather together, pause and reflect as a whole school.

Collective Worship is an expression of our Vision and contributes significantly to the flourishing of all. It offers pupils the chance to understand that they are part of a loving community and that uniqueness is celebrated. It enables them to develop a deeper understanding of our school values: unique, creative, trust, adventurous, friendship and fun; to develop pupils as leaders; give pupils the chance to make themselves heard and celebrate success. It enables pupils and adults to develop spiritually, emotionally and socially, asking, reflecting on and answering big questions about meaning and our responsibilities as part of a global community including, ‘Who am I?’ ‘Why am I here’ ‘How then shall I live?’.

This is our school,

Let peace live here,

Let the rooms be full of love,

Let love abide here,

Love of one another,

Love of everyone,

Love of life itself,

Let us remember,

Many hands make a house,

Many hearts make a school.