Religious Education
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
Religious Education Team: Miss A Tyrrell and Mrs A Ratcliffe
Our purpose:
At Rack House Primary School, our Religious Education (RE) curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ understanding of the diverse beliefs, practices and values held by individuals and communities around the world. We aim to provide a high-quality RE education that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and respectful dialogue.
Through an inclusive and ambitious curriculum, we enable children to explore both religious and non-religious worldviews, helping them reflect on life’s big questions and their own sense of identity. Our teaching of RE supports pupils to understand the lived experience of faith and belief in local, national and global contexts.
RE at Rack House supports the development of:
- Respect and tolerance, by promoting awareness and appreciation of the beliefs of others
- Spiritual and moral understanding, by giving children opportunities to explore meaning, purpose, and values
- Critical thinking and enquiry, by encouraging children to ask challenging questions and consider multiple perspectives
- Cultural capital, by equipping pupils with knowledge of global faiths and traditions relevant to life in modern Britain
Our curriculum is rooted in the three disciplinary lenses outlined in the Manchester Agreed Syllabus:
• Theology – exploring what people believe and where beliefs come from
• Philosophy – considering how people think and the big questions of life
• Human and Social Sciences – examining how religion and belief affect daily life
Children are encouraged to reflect on what they learn, relate it to their own experiences, and express their views respectfully. By the time pupils leave us, they are confident in exploring different worldviews and are well-prepared for life in a diverse and pluralistic society.
Manchester Agreed Syllabus link: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/residents/schools/SACRE/docs/MSSTT-Agreed-Syllabus-for-Religious-Education.pdf
Our Curriculum Overview:
RE Long Term Plan
How we Teach Religious Education:
At Rack House, RE is delivered through a carefully planned and sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge, understanding and skills progressively. Each unit is structured around a central enquiry question, encouraging exploration, discussion and reflection.
Our curriculum includes:
- Thematic units: organised around key concepts such as belief, authority, worship, morality and community
- Diverse perspectives: teaching about a range of faiths including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, alongside non-religious worldviews such as Humanism
- Interactive learning: including group discussions, role-play, creative responses, and use of religious artefacts and texts
- Real-life connections: supported by local visits to places of worship and community representatives, helping pupils see how belief is lived in the real world
- Cross-curricular links: RE is connected meaningfully to subjects such as PSHE, English, History and Geography
Assessment in RE is both formative and summative:
- Teachers assess how well pupils can recall and apply key concepts and vocabulary
- Pupils engage in self-assessment at the end of units, reflecting on their learning and progress
- Pupil voice is central to evaluating engagement and depth of understanding
We ensure staff are confident in delivering RE through regular CPD and by drawing on guidance from the agreed syllabus, as well as collaboration with external organisations and community members.
The Results of our Approach:
By the time they leave us, pupils will:
- Demonstrate secure knowledge of key beliefs and practices across major religions and worldviews
- Articulate their own views and values, showing respect for others’ belief
- Ask thoughtful, philosophical questions and consider multiple perspective
- Make connections between religious beliefs and how people liv
- Understand the role of religion and belief in shaping culture, identity and values
The impact of our RE curriculum is evidenced through:
• Pupil Engagement: Children show enthusiasm for RE and are eager to share ideas and experiences. Participation in discussions and reflective tasks is consistently high.
• Critical Thinking and Reflection: Pupils demonstrate maturity when exploring complex themes. They think deeply, question confidently and respond thoughtfully to different beliefs.
• Spiritual, Moral and Cultural Development: Pupils reflect on their own values, understand others’ traditions and contribute respectfully to community life.
• Academic Progress: Internal assessments and monitoring show that pupils achieve highly in RE. Many exceed expectations, demonstrating depth of understanding and the ability to apply learning across subjects.
• Community and Cohesion: RE contributes significantly to our inclusive school culture. Feedback from parents and visitors reflects that our pupils are empathetic, respectful and well-prepared to live in a diverse society.
Progression of Skills Documents:
Useful Links:
- BBC Bitesize - Religious Education