Our Vision

At St Stephen’s C of E Primary School, we believe Religious Education helps every child develop religious literacy, spirituality and respect for others. As a Church of England school serving a diverse community, we provide an inclusive environment where pupils learn about Christianity and a range of other faiths and worldviews. Through Religious Education, children are empowered to explore questions of meaning, purpose and belief, while reflecting on their own experiences and values. We aim to nurture thoughtful, compassionate and open-minded individuals who are prepared to serve a diverse and changing world.

Intent

Our school community includes people from many different nationalities, cultures and faith backgrounds. As a Church of England school, we seek to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where all pupils feel rooted, valued and respected. Religious Education plays a vital role in helping pupils understand Christianity as a living global faith, while also developing knowledge and appreciation of other religions and worldviews. Through the academic study of beliefs, traditions and practices, pupils develop religious literacy and the ability to engage thoughtfully with different perspectives. Using the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education Agreed Syllabus, pupils explore Religious Education through the lenses of Believing, Thinking and Living, enabling them to ask meaningful questions, reflect on human experience and develop respect for people of all faiths and none.

Implementation

Key Concepts

The teaching, learning and assessment of Religious Education are based on the three lenses of the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education (SDBE) Agreed Syllabus:

Believing (Theology) – exploring religious and non-religious beliefs, teachings and sources of authority.

Thinking (Philosophy) – reflecting on, questioning and evaluating beliefs, values and ideas.

Living (Human Sciences) – examining how beliefs influence individuals, communities and the wider world.

Curriculum Coverage

At St Stephen's, Religious Education is taught in accordance with the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education Agreed Syllabus. Two-thirds of the curriculum focuses on Christianity, with the remaining third exploring Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and non-religious worldviews.

Learning is structured around carefully sequenced Big Questions that promote enquiry, discussion and reflection. From the Early Years through to Year 6, pupils progressively develop their understanding of beliefs, practices, values and worldviews, exploring themes such as belonging, identity, justice and the meaning of a good life.

Knowledge and understanding are built progressively through the lenses of Believing, Thinking and Living, enabling pupils to make connections between faith, belief and everyday life. Religious Education is taught to all pupils, including those in the Early Years Foundation Stage, where learning is linked to the EYFS Early Learning Goals.

Impact

By the end of Year 6, our pupils are knowledgeable, reflective and respectful learners who understand Christianity as a diverse, living global faith and appreciate the beliefs and practices of other religions and worldviews. They are equipped to engage thoughtfully with different perspectives and contribute positively to a diverse society.

Our pupils will:

 Become religiously literate, developing knowledge and understanding of other world faiths and non-religious worldviews, fostering tolerance and respect

• Have a firm understanding of Christianity as a diverse, living global faith

• Explore the nature of Christian beliefs, practices and values, and understand how these are lived out

• Demonstrate a culture of respect for all people and their beliefs

• Explore the spiritual dimension of life and engage with deep questions about life, meaning and faith

• Understand the contribution of religion to morality, relationships and social responsibility

• Reflect on a wide range of human experiences and make connections between beliefs, values and ways of living

Learning is assessed through discussion, written and creative responses, enquiry-based activities and ongoing teacher assessment, ensuring pupils make strong progress in their knowledge, understanding and reflection.