Intent

At Austin Farm Academy, we believe that Religious Education (RE) is fundamental in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development of our pupils. Our intent is to provide a high-quality RE curriculum that fosters respect and understanding of diverse beliefs and practices, encouraging children to explore their own beliefs whilst developing an appreciation for others. The key objectives of our RE curriculum are:

• To develop knowledge and understanding of major world religions, their traditions, and the role of faith in individuals' lives.
• To inspire critical thinking and personal reflection, allowing children to articulate their beliefs and values confidently.
• To cultivate a safe and inclusive environment where pupils can engage with challenging questions about identity, ethics, and morality.
• To promote social cohesion by exploring common values across different religious and non-religious worldviews.

Implementation

The implementation of our RE curriculum is structured to ensure comprehensive coverage of the requirements outlined in the Agreed Syllabus for RE, whilst being responsive to the needs and interests of our pupils. KS1 follow the Jigsaw RE programme and KS2 follow the Opening Words scheme of work.

Key aspects of our approach include:

1. Curriculum Design: Our curriculum is carefully designed to encompass a balanced exploration of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Buddhism, alongside non-religious perspectives. Each year group has a clear progression of knowledge and skills, ensuring a spiralling effect where concepts are revisited and deepened over time.

2. Engaging Pedagogical Strategies: We employ a range of teaching methods, including storytelling, discussions, hands-on activities, and visits to places of worship. This multi-faceted approach meets diverse learning needs and engages pupils of all abilities.

3. Assessment for Learning: Formative assessment practices are embedded throughout our RE lessons. Staff utilize questioning, peer assessment, and reflective journals to gauge understanding and adapt teaching accordingly. Summative assessments at the end of units help to track progress and inform future planning.

4. Community Engagement: We actively seek to involve parents, local faith communities, and external experts to enrich the curriculum. Guest speakers and workshops provide authentic contexts for learning, enhancing pupils' understanding of living faiths.

5. Professional Development: Ongoing professional development for teaching staff ensures that they are well-equipped to deliver RE imaginatively and effectively. Collaborative planning sessions and peer observations foster a culture of shared best practices.

Impact

The impact of our RE curriculum can be observed across a range of dimensions:

• Knowledge and Understanding: Pupils demonstrate a strong understanding of religious beliefs and practices and can articulate their learning with confidence. Regular assessments show that the majority of pupils achieve age-related expectations and above.

• Personal Development: Pupils exhibit growth in their spiritual and moral understanding. They show respect for diverse viewpoints and engage in constructive dialogue about beliefs and values. Surveys indicate that pupils feel safe discussing their thoughts and are more open to exploring differing perspectives.

• Community Cohesion: Through our engagement with local faith communities, pupils develop a sense of belonging and connection to the wider community. They participate in interfaith activities and projects that promote mutual respect and understanding.

• Ofsted Readiness: The school is well-prepared for Ofsted inspections, displaying robust documentation of the RE curriculum and strong evidence of pupil learning and engagement. The breadth of enrichment activities and community involvement enhances our standing as an outstanding institution.

In conclusion, our RE programme at Austin Farm Academy is not only aligned with national standards but also promotes a deep-seated understanding and appreciation of the diverse world in which our pupils live. We are committed to continuous improvement and remain dedicated to fostering an environment where every child can thrive spiritually, morally, and socially.

What is Opening Worlds?

Opening Worlds is a knowledge-rich humanities programme for teaching history, geography and religion in Years 3 to 6. As a school, we are provided with curriculum resources together with training, support and ongoing programme-related professional development for our school teachers.

The uniqueness and background of every child is recognised and valued. Because of this, our curriculum covers a range of cultural, historical and ethical backgrounds and offers purposeful and meaningful experiences to apply, share and develop this knowledge.

Our diverse, culturally rich and wide-scoping curriculum is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values in a rigorous and coherent way. Explicit links to story-telling and creativity are made to enthuse learners. Many enhancement and enrichment activities are used throughout the curriculum to engage children and create purposeful, high-leverage outcomes that give children the opportunity to use and apply their developing knowledge and skills.

Our aim is to create an environment that prompts curiosity, critical thinking and allows learners to connect strands of learning across all aspects of the curriculum.

What does this look like at Austin Farm Academy?

The programme meets and substantially exceeds the demand of the National Curriculum for history and geography and is compatible with our locally agreed syllabus in RE. The programme is characterised by strong vertical sequencing within subjects (so that pupils gain security in a rich, broad vocabulary through systematic introduction, sustained practice and deliberate revisiting) and intricate horizontal and diagonal connections, thus creating a curriculum whose effects are far greater than the sum of its parts.