Religious Education at Hillside Infant School enables children to develop an understanding of religion by exploring different religions and increasing their knowledge of different faiths, practices and cultures.  R.E. encourages sensitivity and respect.  It promotes acceptance and understanding and enhances a child’s own spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. 

Intent:

• Enable children to explore and develop an understanding of what religion is
• Acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other religions, principally Hinduism
• Learn from different world religions and provide opportunities to explore and express their own responses, personal beliefs and values.
• Understand the relationship between beliefs and practices.
• Develop an understanding of the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals, communities, societies and cultures. 
• Develop skills pertinent to religious education such as: questioning, investigation, communication, expression and evaluation, and to promote the ability to make reasoned and informed moral judgments.

Implementation

Our RE curriculum is knowledge based; designed to help children increase their understanding of religious concepts but it also helps them to explore their own personal beliefs and values.  

We take a creative approach to teaching RE with strong cross-curricular links to Literacy, Art and Music.  Children learn about major world faith festivals to support our teaching on worship and celebrations e.g. Christmas, Diwali and Eid.  

Our school RE curriculum is informed by the Hillingdon SACRE syllabus which is based upon the National Curriculum Framework for RE and reflects the religious profile of our local school community.  This is largely Christian, as well as a significant number of Hindu and Muslim families.  Teaching endorses the school’s values of Trying our Best Every Day, Kindness and Honesty, Working as a Hillside Team, Using Good Manners, which in turn reflect British Values. 

Our Hillside Infant School Progression and Overview ensure children develop in knowledge and skills as they progress through the year groups. 

RE in EYFS

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery and Reception), children explore their own thoughts, feelings and beliefs and are introduced to those of other people.  The children’s own experiences are the starting point for learning; children ask and answer questions about religion and culture as they occur naturally within their everyday experiences. They reflect on their own feelings and experiences and share them with others.  Both year groups share their religious beliefs during their ‘About Me’ topics during the Autumn term.  During Reception’s Autumn 2 topic they learn about different different cultural celebrations such as Diwali, Eid, Christmas, birthdays and weddings.   

RE in Key Stage 1 

In Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), RE is taught on average for 45minutes each week, although sometimes it is taught in blocked lessons.  Each half term has a different theme.  Lessons develop ideas sequentially linked to the theme, encouraging children to develop their thinking.  Children within KS1 learn about special places of worship through the RE curriculum.  Some of these special places are visited e.g. Emmanuel Church and Northwood United Synagogue.  Children are encouraged to share their own experiences of faith as well as re-enact significant events so children get hands on experiences.  

All children at Hillside Infant School explore the world of religion and faith through stories, pictures, role play and discussion.  They handle real artefacts and respond creatively through dance, drama, art and music. 

Withdrawal 

Parents of pupils may request that their child is excused from Religious Education and/or attendance during collective worship. If a parent does request their child to be withdrawn, it would be helpful if parents/carers were given the opportunity to explain their reasons should they wish to do so. An application for withdrawal from any aspect of school life or curriculum area must be made in writing to the headteacher.