Intent

At Queen Eleanor’s we believe in preparing our pupils for the modern world in which they live. Through Religious Education, the children acquire knowledge and understanding of religious and cultural differences in today’s society. We provide opportunities for the children to explore values and beliefs of the Christian faith as well as those from other religions, in order to make reasoned, informed and creative responses to religious and moral issues. Through the teaching of Religious Education at Queen Eleanor’s, we aim to promote pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

As a Church of England school, we promote our Christian values of: Honesty, Trust, Kindness and Respect throughout our whole school curriculum.

Implementation

As a Church of England school, we use the Guildford Diocesan guidelines for Religious Education. Christianity takes the central place in Religious Education lessons (70%). Other faiths, especially those represented by pupils in the classroom, are always acknowledged, valued and taught in specific year groups.

Our lessons are mainly taught in one hour weekly sessions, although each year group holds a ‘Faith Day’ once a term, where a unit of work is explored throughout the duration of the day. Visitors with areas of expertise are often invited to take part in lessons and each year group visits a place of worship e.g. parish church, cathedral or mosque.

All children from the school are involved in Harvest Festival, Christmas and Easter services at our parish church and Year 6 pupils attend the leavers’ service at Guildford Cathedral.

We hold an Easter or Pentecost Pause Day during the spring term, when our parish vicar will lead an assembly to start the day.

In the autumn term we hold a ‘Prayer Spaces’ week, often held at our parish church, which is planned by the R.E. co-ordinator and vicar, and lead by the vicar and volunteers from the church.

During Religious Education lessons, the children extend their knowledge of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and are introduced to aspects of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Lessons are taught in a lively and imaginative way through a variety of different activities including art, drama, storytelling, visitors, discussion and technology. Children often work in pairs or small groups for these activities. Lessons often include time for debate and reflection.

Impact

The aims of Religious Education are clearly enshrined in two attainment targets. Both attainment targets are addressed in every RE lesson. They are as follows: Learning About Religion and Learning from Religion.

The children learn about religion by gaining a secure knowledge and understanding of the beliefs, practices and history of Christianity and by beginning to explore other faiths.

They also learn from religion by developing the ability to express curiosity about fundamental questions of life, understand and use religious language, reflect on belief, practice, values and tradition in order to understand their influence on the individual, on community life and on culture. Our children are able to make informed responses to religious and moral issues and identify the relationship between religious belief, human responsibility, global issues and the natural world.

Religious Education also contributes to pupils’ developing their own beliefs, values, and sense of self-worth, respect for other people’s faith and viewpoint,  appreciation of their own and others’ contributions to society and the world and a sense of responsibility for themselves and others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Pause Day

Our theme this year was forgiveness, focussing on the characters of Judas and Peter. We took part in various activities, including games, drama, conscience alley, art and reflection.

We thought about times when we had betrayed friends and family in how we thought or something we have said or done. We considered how this made us all feel.

We then looked at the characters of Judas and Peter, disciples of Jesus, who both betrayed him. We not only thought about how Jesus felt by their betrayal, but also how they felt after they had betrayed their friend.

We held our Easter Service at All Saint’s Church. This year we had the theme of HOPE.

Revd Beverly talked about hope and stories from around the world today where hope has been seen.

We sang beautifully – ‘We’re Following Jesus’ and ‘Risen’. We listened to part of the Easter story and finished with some children leading us in prayer, they had written the prayers themselves. Finally we all wrote our own messages of hope on an egg template, which we can use in prayer or reflection at home.

​​​​​​​Overview of the RE Curriculum at Queen Eleanor's

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6