Intent

To enable the students of Coton to live life in all its fullness, both during their school career and into their future, our Religious Education (RE) curriculum is focused upon the development of religious literacy. Having a strong foundation in religious literacy, prepares students for life in the ever-changing, diverse, global world by facilitating opportunities for them to develop and deepen their knowledge of global world religions and views. With their strong foundational knowledge of the six major world religions (Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism) alongside the world view of Humanism, our curriculum prepares our students to be able to confidently, accurately and wisely converse about the beliefs and practices of others.

The word ‘religion’ has its origin in the Latin, ‘to bind’. It is the sacred texts, stories, art, music and practices that bind these communities with a tradition together. All units within our RE curriculum are based upon the exploration of scripture and sacred texts. Our RE curriculum fosters curiosity by providing opportunities for children to critically engage with and question these texts in order to learn about the origins of religious belief. Our RE curriculum then provides opportunities for our students to wonder, explore and ask questions about the impact that these practices have upon a person’s life. Through this exploration, we facilitate opportunities for our students to develop empathy for others, to develop a deep understanding and respect for those who hold different beliefs and investigate moral and ethical questions through the lens of a world view or religion. Within all RE lessons, children are encouraged to reflect upon their learning to help them empathise and understand the practices of people who hold different beliefs. Children are also given time to reflect upon their own spirituality and place in the world by sharing their own beliefs and ideas.