Intent

During their time at Southwood Infant School, children learn about Christianity and one other world faith, Judaism. They explore and respond to a range of stories, artefacts and other religious material relevant to both these religions. Throughout the school children learn that beliefs are expressed in different ways by different people. We aim at all times to encourage children to be sensitive to other people and to the world around them. Children get the chance to talk about what is important to them and others, valuing themselves, reflecting on their own feelings and experiences and developing a sense of belonging.

Mrs Batchelor, Religious Education Leader

Implementation

We follow “Living Difference III”, which is the agreed syllabus for Hampshire Schools. The units ensure continuity and progression throughout the school. Should you wish your child not to participate in this area of the curriculum please discuss this with the Headteacher.

Children are encouraged to start from their own experiences and apply them to a range of concepts. The key skills developed in this approach are

• Enquiry
• Communication
• Contextualisation
• Application
• Evaluation

In each year group the RE curriculum is delivered in half termly blocked units rather than in weekly lessons.

Concepts covered

Year R

• Celebratiion (Birthdays, Christmas, Divali)
• Learning from stories Jesus told
• Celebrating (Easter)
• New life 
• Special places and things
• Creation

Key Stage 1 – Cycle A

• Harvest and symbol of bread (Symbolism)
• Nativity Journey’s (Journeys) 
• The Bible (Authority)
• Easter / Passover (Remembering)
• People Jesus met (Change)
• Belonging to Judaism (Belonging)

Key Stage 1 – Cycle B

• Harvest and Sukkot (Thankfulness)
• Hanukah and Christmas (Light as a symbol)
• Special Places (Specialness)
• Easter (Happiness and Saddness)
• shabbat (Remembering)
• Water as a symbol (Preciousness)

Journeys

One of the themes we explore in Religious Education, is Journeys.  This is especially pertinent during the Autumn term as we build up to Christmas. Our Christmas performance last year was Babushka, the Russian Christmas story that charts the journey the Wise Men and Babushka herself makes across the globe. The children make connections and links between their own lives and the special journeys they have made.

Shabbat

We have also learned about and experienced the preparation of Jewish day of rest, Shabbat. We linked Remembering to our own lives and planned a special remembering party as well as taking part in a Shabbat meal. We sang Shabbat songs, lit the Shabbat candles, ate special Challah bread and enjoyed delicious fruit and birthday cake.