Religious Education

Religious Education at Ickworth Park Primary School

At Ickworth Park Primary School, our Religious Education curriculum is designed to be ambitious, engaging and accessible for all pupils, building progressively on knowledge and skills from the Early Years to Year 6.

Our Intent

At Ickworth Park Primary School, our RE curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, and their place within a diverse society.

We aim to foster curiosity, respect and open-mindedness whilst building secure knowledge of different beliefs, practices and ways of life.

Our Approach

We follow the Emmanuel Project, which is aligned with the Suffolk Agreed Syllabus for RE. This is based on a Religion and Worldviews approach, enabling pupils to explore both religious and non-religious perspectives and understand the diversity of beliefs in the modern world.

Teachers adapt this to reflect the needs, interests and context of our pupils at Ickworth Park. Each unit is centred around a ‘Big Question’, encouraging pupils to think deeply, make connections and engage in meaningful discussion.

Pupils build secure knowledge over time through an enquiry-based approach, exploring key concepts through three lenses:

Theology (beliefs and teachings)
Human and social sciences (how people live out their beliefs)
Philosophy (thinking about meaning and truth)

Learning is structured through an enquiry cycle, where pupils:

Engage with key questions in relation to their own lives
Enquire into religious and non-religious worldviews
Explore beliefs through stories, practices and lived experiences
Evaluate, express and extend their understanding

Pupils study a range of religions and worldviews, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Humanism.

Progression

Learning in RE begins in the Early Years, where children explore similarities and differences between people, beliefs and traditions as part of Understanding the World.

In EYFS, children encounter religious stories, celebrations and experiences, beginning to develop an awareness of different beliefs and ways of living.

As pupils move through the school, this understanding develops further:

In Key Stage 1, pupils begin to ask questions about beliefs and practices, and learn about key stories, celebrations and symbols
In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their understanding by exploring ‘Big Questions’, making comparisons between religions and developing their ability to explain and evaluate beliefs

Across the school, learning is organised into half-termly units, each centred around a key question that enables pupils to revisit and build on prior knowledge.

By Year 6, pupils are able to consider complex questions about belief, meaning and purpose, and articulate their own ideas while respecting the views of others.

Inclusion

All pupils are supported to access the RE curriculum.

Learning is adapted through scaffolding, discussion and use of appropriate resources
Key vocabulary is explicitly taught to support understanding and expression
Lessons provide opportunities for all pupils to share ideas and reflect on their own experiences
Teaching ensures that pupils with SEND can engage fully alongside their peers

What Makes RE Special at Ickworth Park

RE at Ickworth Park supports pupils in understanding the diverse world in which they live.

Pupils are encouraged to:

Make links between their learning and their own experiences
Develop respect for different beliefs and cultures
Reflect on their own values and understanding of the world

We enrich our RE curriculum through meaningful, real-life experiences:

All classes work closely with St Leonard’s Church in Horringer, supporting pupils in developing an understanding of Christian beliefs and practices within their local community
In Year 3, pupils visit a mosque and synagogue in Cambridge, giving them first-hand experience of different places of worship and deepening their understanding of different faiths
Pupils take part in enrichment experiences such as Diwali celebrations and Chinese New Year workshops, allowing them to experience a range of cultural and religious traditions
We work with Bury Christian Youth, who run a lunchtime club and also support teaching in Year 5, deepening pupils’ understanding of Christianity within the curriculum
Visitors and workshops provide opportunities for pupils to engage with different worldviews and broaden their understanding

These experiences help pupils to develop empathy, respect and a deeper understanding of the diverse world around them.

Impact

Pupils are able to apply their knowledge to reflect on different beliefs and explain their understanding using appropriate vocabulary.

Pupils develop:

A secure understanding of a range of religions and worldviews
The ability to ask thoughtful questions and engage in discussion
Respect for diversity and different perspectives
Confidence in expressing their own ideas and beliefs

They leave Ickworth Park as thoughtful, respectful and informed individuals, well-prepared for life in a diverse society.