Religious Education & Worship

OVERVIEW
 
Our school community is driven by the belief that all children are created in God’s image and are therefore unique, special and valued. Our Christian values underpin all that we do and enable us to nurture strong relationships with children, parents, staff, governors, the parish of St James and the local community.

At Latchford St James Church of England Primary School, the aim of Religious Education is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain. We aim to understand the way that religious beliefs shape our lives and our behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance our spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Religious Education is taught throughout the school in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and philosophy of the school. As a Church of England school, Religious Education plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHE and the teaching of British Values, in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our children.

It is our mission to provide children with the stimulating, safe environment, exciting curriculum, spiritual and moral guidance and physical and emotional well-being they need to flourish and become happy, confident, successful life-long learners who contribute thoughtfully to society in accordance with our values.

As educators, we strive to be ‘the best that we can be’ in order to inspire our children to become ‘the best that they can be.’

IMPLEMENTATION

Here at LSJ we follow the Religious Education in Primary Schools planning from the Diocese of Chester. This scheme of work is a based on 11 Christian theological concepts. Each concept is built on progressively from Reception to Year 6. Schools in the Diocese of Chester have contributed to the writing and trialling of these plans and their input and feedback has been much valued in the completion of the final scheme.

Christianity is the main faith studied each year with a minimum of 50% of the RE curriculum devoted to it. However, all children will experience at least four other major world faiths across their school career.

  • Religious Education will be taught throughout the school. Mainly by the class teacher and may be supported from time to time by clergy from local churches and visiting speakers.
  • Religious Education may be taught in a ‘whole class’ setting but with flexibility to allow for discussion, questioning and reflection in small groups and individually.
  • Teaching and learning of Religious Education is enhanced through visits to local churches such as St James’, St Hilda’s, St John’s URC, Chester Cathedral and other places of worship, both Christian and other.
  • A variety of teaching approaches are encouraged:
  • Teacher presentations and story-telling.
  • Role play and drama.
  • Question and answer sessions, discussions and debates.
  • Individual and group research.
  • Photographs, pictures and maps.
  • Artefacts
  • ICT, TV, video, DVD, CD, tape, and PCs to research and communicate ideas.
  • Different teaching/learning styles will support teaching and learning as appropriate.
  • Progression will be guided by the Diocese of Chester Religious Education Guidelines, supported by Chester Diocese Religious Education Syllabus.
  • Religious Education may be integrated with other subjects (in particular, reading and writing).
  • Religious Education resources will be reviewed and updated regularly.
  • Classroom support will be welcomed under the guidance of the teacher, e.g. skilled individuals and parents etc.
  • INSET will be arranged according to school improvement priorities.

IMPACT

The children at Latchford St James CE Primary School enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world. Through R.E. our children are developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life and worship, which they are then able to communicate to the wider community.
 
Well done to the Hinds family for showing compassion to family, friends and neighbours by displaying acts of kindness.
Well done to Serena and her family for their act of compassion – growing and looking after plants from seed, then delivering them to all 73 residents at the sheltered accommodation for older people, where mum works.
Thank you Sara and Ethan (Year 6) for your beautiful word arts on our Christian Value, ‘Compassion’.