How we have sequenced the religious education curriculum

As part of our process of continuously reviewing the curriculum, each unit of work in the RE curriculum is being revised on a term-by-term basis. 

1. Units of work have been planned which we know are relevant to our children, provide a framework for a broad understanding of both the practices and beliefs of different religions and how we can learn through and from religion, and which ensure coverage of the national curriculum. 

2. The units of work have been organised into two 'strands': Religions in our Community (Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism) and Learning Through Religion (Comparing and Contrasting, Our Beliefs, Our Lives and How We Lead Them, and The Big Questions). Each strand develops particular aspects of religious thinking and knowledge. These are linked to our drivers, issues relevant to our community, British Values, our RSHE curriculum and key subject knowledge. These provide the building blocks for learning.

3. Skills specific to the teaching of religious education (disciplinary knowledge) are developed through critical thinking. Critical thinking has been mapped out alongside vocabulary, enabling children to progressively develop their ability to make connections between different religions and other areas of learning. 

4. Knowledge overviews have been created to support the teaching of each unit of work. The core knowledge is selected from these by teachers when planning lessons. This provides the focus for teaching and learning.

Our curriculum ensures that teachers can quickly gain an overview of each unit of work, identify what the learning outcomes are and how learning needs to be developed from what has been taught previously.