We are Theologians and Philosophers
Intent
At Asquith Primary School, our RE curriculum is shaped by our curriculum drivers.
Wonderful words – We develop pupils’ religious literacy through rich vocabulary, storytelling, discussion and reflection, enabling children to express ideas, beliefs and questions with confidence and respect.
Readers for life – pupils engage with a range of sacred texts, stories and non-fiction to deepen their understanding of Christianity and other world faiths, fostering curiosity and a lifelong interest in reading for meaning and understanding.
Opportunities – strong links with the local church provide meaningful opportunities for worship, visits, visitors and community engagement, helping pupils to understand faith as a lived and active part of daily life.
Dream big – re encourages children to ask big questions about life, belief and morality, developing philosophical thinking, empathy and reflection so they grow into thoughtful, open-minded individuals who respect difference.
These drivers are underpinned by our core values of understanding, cooperation, respect, responsibility, honesty and determination.
Our intent is to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, giving every child a broad and rich understanding of religions, worldviews and the diverse communities within our society. Through high-quality teaching, children develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand a range of beliefs, express their ideas confidently and respectfully, and recognise how religious and non-religious worldviews influence individuals and communities.
We aim to provide a coherent, progressive and ambitious curriculum that enables children to explore key concepts, ask thoughtful questions and reflect on their own beliefs and values. Lessons encourage curiosity, critical thinking and reflection, offering opportunities to explore big ideas about meaning, belonging, truth and identity. Inclusivity is central to our provision, ensuring that children of all backgrounds can access and engage with the re curriculum.
Our RE curriculum helps pupils to understand themselves and others, appreciate diversity, value British Values and develop the cultural capital they need to dream big, participate confidently in modern Britain and contribute positively to their wider world.
Implementation
At Asquith Primary School, RE is delivered through a clear, sequenced and enquiry-led curriculum in line with the Nottinghamshire agreed syllabus 2021–2026. Substantive knowledge (what pupils learn about religions and worldviews) and disciplinary knowledge (how they think and enquire in re) are developed together across the school.
The curriculum is organised into structured sequences that build on prior learning, so pupils know more and remember more. Every year group studies Christianity alongside either Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and a range of worldviews. Festivals such as Christmas and Easter are taught at age-appropriate levels and celebrated across the school through assemblies, activities and shared experiences.
RE is taught through discrete lessons that are accessible, respectful and engaging. Teaching approaches include modelling, scaffolding, use of stem sentences, word banks, questioning and effective use of teaching assistants. Creative approaches such as drama, art, music, artefacts and storytelling deepen understanding, alongside visits to places of worship and visitors from faith communities.
A strong emphasis on vocabulary supports our wonderful words driver. Key terms for each unit are explicitly taught, revisited and used so pupils can communicate their understanding accurately and confidently.
In EYFS, RE is embedded through purposeful play, stories, objects, celebrations and first-hand experiences, helping children to develop early awareness of belief and community.
Inclusivity is central to our implementation. Lessons are adapted for SEND and EAL pupils through visuals, structured talk, simplified tasks and additional scaffolding, enabling all learners to access the curriculum successfully.
Pupils celebrate their learning through floor books which capture discussion, enquiry and reflection.
Impact
The impact of our RE curriculum is that pupils develop secure knowledge of a wide range of religions and worldviews, alongside the ability to think, question and reflect like theologians, philosophers and social scientists. They demonstrate increasing understanding, using accurate vocabulary to explain beliefs, compare ideas and express respectful and thoughtful viewpoints.
Children make meaningful connections between what they learn and the world around them, understanding how beliefs shape communities, identities, relationships and cultures. They engage confidently in discussion, explore big questions and reflect on their own values, choices and experiences.
Our inclusive approach ensures that all pupils achieve well, with adaptations enabling all learners to access vocabulary, communicate ideas and succeed in enquiry tasks. Pupils show positive attitudes to RE and demonstrate respect, empathy and appreciation of diversity.
Through visits, visitors, celebrations and rich experiences, pupils build strong cultural capital and develop a clear understanding of life in modern Britain. They recognise their role within society and understand the importance of valuing difference and challenging stereotypes.
By the end of their time at Asquith Primary School, children will be able to:
Pupils leave Asquith Primary School equipped with the knowledge, skills, values and cultural awareness they need to dream big and contribute positively to an interconnected and diverse world.