Religious Education at Forres Primary Academy 

RE aims to give children the knowledge, critical thinking skills, open minded and respectful attitude with which to investigate the world of religion and beliefs, and make their own decisions about what this means to them, whilst empathising with what it means to those who hold those beliefs. It also aims to enable children to grow spiritually by developing their awareness and skills of reflec1on, their experience of awe and wonder and their appreciation of stillness and silence.

RE is a statutory subject in all schools in England, except for those children withdrawn at the request of their parents.

What do schools have to teach in RE?

According to the latest guidance from the government, via the Na1onal Curriculum for England, every school needs to have a broad and balanced curriculum that:

• promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, social, mental and physical development of pupils
• prepares pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life
• promotes British values.

Schools also have statutory responsibility to promote community cohesion (Education Act, 2006), and have to demonstrate that they are “Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation, from whatever source” (The Prevent duty – departmental advice for schools and childcare providers”, June 2015).

At Forres Primary Academy we use the Jigsaw RE programme to deliver RE. Jigsaw RE is a comprehensive enquiry-based, teaching programme for Religious Education. Our belief is that, using this model well, children’s critical thinking skills can be developed, their motivation to learn increased, and their knowledge and understanding of, and empathy with people and their beliefs, religious or otherwise, will be enhanced. This approach takes very seriously the philosophy that children are free to make their own choices and decisions concerning religion and belief.

Jigsaw RE recommends teaching Christianity plus one other principal religion /worldview in every year group, and enables 7 worldviews (Buddhism, Chris1anity, Islam, Judaism, Sanatana Dharma (Hindu), Sikhi and Humanism) to be considered by the end of Key Stage 2 (age 11).

Jigsaw RE is a comprehensive enquiry-based, teaching programme for Religious Educa1on for Years F1- year 6 (3-11

year olds). Our belief is that, using this model well, children’s critical thinking skills can be developed, their motivation to learn increased, and their knowledge and understanding of, and empathy with people and their beliefs, religious or otherwise, will be enhanced. This approach takes very seriously the philosophy that children are free to make their own choices and decisions concerning religion and belief.