At Hurworth Primary, we encourage pupils to develop positive attitudes to their own and others’ beliefs and values, in a classroom climate that recognises, respects and celebrates differences. Self-awareness, respect, open-mindedness, appreciation and wonder are an integral part of our Religious Education (RE) curriculum. We believe that RE makes an important contribution to promoting British Values and understanding the impact it has for individuals and communities. Our school prepares pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning so they can participate positively in our society, with its diverse religions and beliefs.

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Our teachers provide a broad and balanced curriculum promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, social, mental and physical development of pupils and of society.  At Hurworth, we provide an RE curriculum that is designed to:

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• Ensure our children develop sound knowledge and understanding of religions, including, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism and non-religions, such as humanist views.

• Allow children to make connections, evaluate and reflect upon as many local, national and international views and beliefs as possible.

• Explore provoking challenging questions about meaning, purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.

• Enable children to weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources, to develop and express their insights in response and to agree or disagree respectfully.

• Revisit religions throughout school life to allow the children to build upon key beliefs whilst comparing the similarities and differences.

• Systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and beliefs will enable children to develop their own, ideas, values and identities.

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We stimulate children’s curiosity about other religions, as well as their own, through engaging lessons, visiting places of worship and inviting guest speakers into school. Our locality has a diverse population with regards to religious backgrounds and we are fortunate enough to have good connections with various places of worship. This provides the children with a realistic and modern insight into the key beliefs and practises of a religion. Our RE curriculum also encourages children to become critical thinkers as well reflectors of their own personal views and beliefs. We regularly have volunteers from our local church, who deliver assemblies through which they share stories and messages from the Bible. We value the importance of coming together for regular acts of collective worship. We respect the integrity of every child, whatever their beliefs. Our act of worship is, therefore, an inclusive act enabling everyone to participate in a way that is appropriate to the individual.

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There are planned opportunities for children to use and apply their skills in English and the wider curriculum whilst strengthening their understanding and enjoyment of RE. Children are encouraged to be creative and to present and share their knowledge in a variety of ways, ensuring that all children including the most disadvantaged and those with SEND are able to achieve and enjoy in this subject.

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