Religious Education

Religious Education (RE) at St Mellion C of E Primary School

At St Mellion C of E Primary School, we believe that Religious Education (RE) plays a vital role in the holistic development of our children. We are committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum that nurtures their intellectual, social, moral, and cultural growth, and RE is an integral part of this commitment.

We teach RE for a number of important reasons:

• Developing Understanding and Respect: RE provides children with the opportunity to learn about a diverse range of religions and worldviews. This fosters understanding, empathy, and respect for individuals and communities with different beliefs and practices. In an increasingly diverse society, this ability to engage respectfully with others is crucial for social cohesion and harmony.
  
  

• Exploring Fundamental Questions: RE encourages children to explore fundamental questions about life, meaning, purpose, and values. It provides a safe and supportive space for them to reflect on their own beliefs and values, as well as those held by others. This process helps them to develop their own sense of identity and their place in the world.
  
  

• Enhancing Cultural Literacy: Religions have profoundly shaped history, culture, art, literature, and social structures across the globe. By learning about different faiths, children gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and the influences that have shaped it. This cultural literacy is essential for appreciating and engaging with the richness and complexity of human experience.

• Promoting Critical Thinking and Reflection: RE encourages children to think critically about different beliefs and practices, to analyse information, and to form their own informed opinions. It also promotes reflection, allowing children to consider the impact of beliefs on individuals and societies.

• Supporting Spiritual and Moral Development: While RE is not about promoting any particular faith, it does provide opportunities for children to explore spiritual concepts, consider ethical issues, and develop their own moral compass. It encourages them to consider values such as compassion, justice, and forgiveness.

• Preparing for Life in a Diverse Society: Our society is increasingly multi-faith and secular. RE equips children with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this diverse landscape with confidence and understanding. It helps them to become informed and responsible citizens who can contribute positively to their communities.

At St Mellion C of E Primary School, our RE curriculum is carefully designed to be engaging, age-appropriate, and inclusive. We aim to create a learning environment where all children feel comfortable exploring different beliefs and where their own perspectives are valued. We follow the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus for RE which ensures a balanced and comprehensive approach to the subject. Within St Barnabas Multi Academy Trust, we have devised a rolling programme to ensure that progression of key knowledge and concepts is sequential and provides a well-rounded approach to RE teaching. Our rolling programme can be viewed below. In addition to this, our RE policy can also be viewed below.

We believe that RE is not about telling children what to believe, but rather about empowering them to learn about different beliefs and to develop their own informed perspectives. We are confident that our RE provision will equip our children with valuable knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will benefit them throughout their lives.

St Mellion's Two Year Rolling Programme for RE

Our RE Policy