Religious Education

Religious education should enable every child to flourish and to live life in all its fullness. (John 10:10). It will help educate for dignity and respect, encouraging all to live well together
We have a commitment to our underpinning Christian faith, with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions (and worldviews) and for the religious freedom of each person.
We teach a full curriculum that prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life in modern Britain.
Christianity will be studied as a living and diverse faith, focused on the teaching of Jesus and the Church.
There will be opportunities for children to understand the role of foundational texts, beliefs, rituals, and practices and how they help form identity in a range of religions and worldviews.

When children leave Norton St Nicholas they will:

Know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs using an approach that critically engages with biblical text.
Have gained knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews appreciating diversity, continuity and change within the religions and worldviews being studied.
Have grown in respect for people of all religions and worldviews.
Have engaged with big questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience.
Have explored their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways of living, believing and thinking.
Be confident in expressing their own opinions, thoughts and questions.

In Early Years and KS1 RE is taught for at least one hour every week; In KS2 RE is taught for at least 1 ¼ hours each week.
At least 50% of curriculum time in each year group is spent studying Christianity. Children also learn about Judaism, Islam, Sikhi and Hinduism.
Each unit of learning has a Big Question, which is explored over the course of a half term. Most of these units are based on brilliant resources from The Emmanuel Project, which help children to:
- Engage with the key concept in their own lives/world.
- Enquire into aspects the key concept relates to.
- Explore the key concepts through religious narrative, religious community practice and religious living.
- Evaluate and express their learning about the Big Question.

Nursery

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Belonging to a religious community. Harvest. Joyous occasions - Diwali, Hanukah, Christmas.	New life and Creation. Lent and Easter.	Our wonderful world. Care and concern for each other.

Reception

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Why is the word 'God' so important to Christians? Why do Christians perform Nativity plays at Christmas?	How can we help others when they need it? Why do Christians put a cross in an Easter garden?	How can we care for our wonderful world? What makes every single person unique and precious?

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Why is belonging to God and the church family important to Christians? Why is learning to do good deeds so important to Jewish people?	How does a Hindu celebrate devotion to a deity at the festival of Holi? What are the best symbols of Jesus' death and resurrection at Easter?	Why do Jewish families say so many prayers and blessings? Why do Christians pray to God and worship him?

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Why do Jewish people talk about repentance at new year? Why was Jesus given the name 'saviour'?	How do some Muslims show Allah is compassionate and merciful? Why do Christians trust Jesus and follow him?	Why is the Torah such a joy for the Jewish community? What did Jesus teach about God in his parables?

Autumn	Spring	Summer
How do Christians show that reconciliation with God and others is important? What do Christians mean when they talk about the Kingdom of God?	What symbols and stories help Jewish people remember their covenant with God? 'Why do Christians call themselves the ‘Body of Christ’?'	How does a Muslim show their submission and obedience to Allah? How does the teaching of the gurus move Sikhs from dark to light?

Autumn	Spring	Summer
Why do Muslims call Muhammad the 'seal of the prophets'? How does believing Jesus is their saviour inspire Christians to save and serve others?	How does the story of Rama and Sita inspire Hindus to follow their Dharma? Why do Christians believe they are people on a mission?	Why are good stewardship and generous giving important for every Christian? How do Sikhs put their beliefs about equality into practice?

Autumn	Spring	Summer
What does the Qur'an reveal about Allah and his guidance? Why is the gospel such good news for Christians?	What spiritual pathways to Moksha are written about in Hindu scriptures? What symbols and stories help Jewish people remember their covenant with God?	When Christians need real wisdom, where do they look for it? 'How do the ‘Heroes of Faith’ encourage Christians today?'

Autumn	Spring	Summer
How does Tawhid create a sense of belonging to the Muslim community? How do Christians show their belief that Jesus is God incarnate?	Should believing in the resurrection change how Christians view life and death? What is holiness for Jewish people: a place, a time, an object or something else?	How do Christians try to capture the mystery of God and the Trinity? How religious is our country? How can different religions live together?