Religious Education

Link to RE long-term plan

At Arnot St Mary, Religious Education helps children explore questions about belief, belonging, meaning and how people live. We want children to develop a secure understanding of Christianity alongside an informed and respectful understanding of other religions and worldviews.

Rooted in our Christian vision and REAL values of Resilience, Equity, Aspiration and Love, RE encourages curiosity, thoughtful reflection and respectful discussion. Every child’s contribution is valued, whether they belong to a faith community or hold a non-religious worldview.

Our RE curriculum

We use the Blackburn Diocesan curriculum, Questful RE, alongside the Liverpool Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education developed through SACRE. As a Voluntary Controlled Church of England school, our provision follows the requirements of the Liverpool Agreed Syllabus, with the Blackburn materials supporting the planning and teaching of our curriculum.

At least 5% of curriculum time is allocated to RE. Lessons build children’s knowledge progressively, revisiting important concepts and helping them make connections between beliefs, teachings and everyday life.

Children learn to:

• Understand important beliefs, stories, practices and traditions.

• Explore how religious and non-religious worldviews influence people’s lives.

• Recognise similarities and differences within and between communities.

• Ask thoughtful questions and consider different interpretations.

• Explain their understanding using appropriate vocabulary and examples.

• Reflect on their own ideas while respecting the views of others.

Understanding Christianity

Christianity is studied in depth throughout school. Through Questful RE and supporting Understanding Christianity resources, children explore core Christian concepts, biblical texts and the ways Christians express and live out their faith.

Important ideas are revisited with increasing depth and complexity. Children build connections between Christian beliefs, worship, celebrations and actions, recognising that Christians may understand and practise their faith in different ways.

Learning about religions and worldviews

Children encounter a range of religious and non-religious worldviews through carefully planned learning. They explore what matters to people, how beliefs are expressed and how these may influence choices, relationships and community life.

We teach children to avoid assumptions and recognise diversity within traditions. First-hand encounters, stories, artefacts and examples of lived experience help children understand that beliefs are held and expressed by real people in different ways.

How we teach RE

Lessons use enquiry, storytelling, discussion, images, religious texts and artefacts to bring learning to life. Teachers introduce key knowledge and vocabulary clearly, model thoughtful questioning and support children to explain their ideas.

Children have opportunities to interpret stories and symbols, consider different answers to challenging questions and reflect through talk, writing, art and other creative responses.

Teachers check children’s knowledge and understanding through questioning, discussion and their work. Assessment focuses on what children have learned and how they explain their thinking; children are not assessed on their personal beliefs.

Teaching is adapted so that all children, including those with SEND, can participate meaningfully. Visual resources, accessible texts, practical experiences and supported discussion help remove barriers to learning.

RE in the Early Years

In the Early Years, children begin by exploring their own experiences, special people, celebrations and a sense of belonging. Stories, play, conversation and encounters with different traditions help them notice similarities and differences and develop curiosity about others.

These experiences contribute particularly to Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Understanding the World, providing foundations for later learning in RE.

Reflection and spiritual development

RE gives children space to wonder, reflect and explore questions that may have more than one answer. Children are encouraged to express their ideas honestly, listen carefully and disagree respectfully.

RE and collective worship make distinct contributions to school life. RE provides curriculum time to study religions and worldviews, while collective worship offers a shared opportunity for reflection within our Christian school community.

Enrichment in RE

Visits, visitors and religious artefacts enrich classroom learning and help children connect their knowledge with lived experience.

Opportunities include workshops at Liverpool Cathedral and faith encounters through Homes of Hospitality, where children meet people who live out their beliefs in the local community.

In Year 5, children also have the opportunity to work towards the Young Leaders Award, developing leadership, character and practical skills while discovering how they can serve others and contribute to their community.

By the time children leave Arnot St Mary, we want them to be knowledgeable, reflective and respectful—confident to ask questions, explain their understanding and engage thoughtfully with people whose beliefs and experiences may differ from their own.

Engagement

Religious Education is central to our identity as a Church of England school. Rooted in our Christian vision and fundamental British values, it develops understanding of Christianity, other religions and worldviews, encouraging thoughtful discussion and mutual respect.

We welcome families of all faiths and none and strongly encourage every child to participate fully in this important part of their education.  If you have any concerns or wish to withdraw your child from RE, please arrange to meet with the Headteacher to discuss this further.