Curriculum Intent

At Harcourt Primary School, our Religious Education curriculum has been planned in line with the Kent Agreed Syllabus. Our local area of Kent is made up of a diverse range of religious beliefs and cultures and so creates exciting opportunities for children to explore faiths and cultures in the local community as well as worldviews.  

Through a spiral curriculum, we build on children’s knowledge and skills by revisiting core concepts in RE with increasing complexity. We aim to challenge and inspire all children to appreciate and learn from different cultures and religions. Using ‘Big Questions’, children explore key aspects of religions and worldviews and discover what people believe, how those beliefs influence their lives and begin to make sense of the similarities and differences across faiths. Children are also encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and values, deepening their understanding of spiritual, religious, and philosophical perspectives. As they progress through the school, they learn to express their personal views thoughtfully and with increasing confidence.  

As with all areas of our curriculum, we place a strong emphasis on communication and oracy in RE. Children are given regular opportunities to develop their speaking and listening skills through collaborative activities, questioning, discussion, and reflection. 

Through this approach, children build a broad and balanced understanding of a range of religions and worldviews. They learn to articulate their own beliefs and values while showing respect and empathy for the views of others. In doing so, they are prepared to become critical thinkers and compassionate, responsible citizens in a multicultural society. 

KENT AGREED SYLLABUS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The historical and cultural roots of the United Kingdom lie with Christianity. Since the arrival of St. Augustine to the present day, Kent remains central to the growth of Christianity. Today this continues to be reflected by Canterbury Cathedral being the centre of the worldwide Anglican Church.

Kent has always been an important geographical gateway for the United Kingdom. This has created a richness and diversity of faith that results in a vibrant and dynamic community. Kent’s unique position also presents exciting opportunities for its citizens to explore faith and culture in the wider world community.

The agreed syllabus is an active and creative response to this tradition and diversity in Kent. It seeks to develop in our young people, the skills and processes which will enable them to engage with their own world views and those of others.

Our vision for high quality Religious Education in Kent is founded on:

• Exploring faith in action
• Reflecting upon ultimate questions
• Affirming and challenging one’s own beliefs and values
• Investigating the beliefs and practices of others
• Developing the skills, attitudes and processes of learning in Religious
• Education

The agreed syllabus aims to provide a high quality experience of Religious Education for all pupils in Kent by:

• Promoting personal respect for pupils’ own world views and those of others
• Deepening understanding of their own and other people’s beliefs and opinions
• Fostering an enquiring and open mind
• Encouraging the confidence to ask ultimate questions
• Developing the skills of listening, communicating and empathising

Children are not taught what they should believe (this is a matter for parents/carers) but will develop an understanding of how different people view faith.  This is very important in the multicultural and multi-faith world in which they are growing up.

Parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from RE lessons, but we ask that parents/carers speak to the Headteacher/Deputy Headteacher beforehand to discuss their concerns.