Religious Education

Religious Education at Westlands

Intent

At Westlands we recognise that teaching R.E. makes a significant contribution to pupils’ academic and personal development. It also plays a key role in promoting social cohesion and the virtues of respect and empathy, which are important in our diverse society. 

By following Jigsaw RE at Westlands 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.