Religious Education Intent

 

At Oak Hill CE Primary School, our Religious Education (RE) curriculum reflects our Christian ethos and underpins our vision to “Learn, Grow, Flourish.”
We aim to provide a high-quality RE curriculum that enables pupils to develop a deep understanding of Christianity and other world religions, while fostering respect, curiosity, and empathy.

Our curriculum seeks to nurture the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of every child, in line with the Church of England’s vision for education: enabling all to “live life in all its fullness.”

Our intent aligns with our school vision:

  • Learn: Develop a secure understanding of world religions and belief systems through enquiry-led, reflective learning.
     

  • Grow: Build confidence in exploring faith, spirituality and moral choices, developing a personal sense of meaning and purpose.
     

  • Flourish: Live out our values of integrity, compassion and respect within our local and global communities.
     

Through RE, pupils grow in wisdom, faith and kindness—reflecting our belief that education nurtures the whole child: body, mind and spirit—helping them to grow spiritually in relation to themselves, others and something greater than themselves.

We celebrate our close partnership with St Margaret’s Church and embrace the distinctiveness of our local area. Our curriculum helps children to recognise the rich cultural and religious diversity of Britain and the wider world, preparing them to contribute positively to society.

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Religious Education Implementation

 

Our RE curriculum is carefully structured to ensure a broad, balanced and engaging experience for all pupils.

  • Children are taught in mixed-age classes on a two-year rolling programme for KS1 and KS2, with the EYFS following a one-year programme aligned to their progression into KS1.
     

  • We follow the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2025), which will be fully implemented by September 2026, supported by Understanding Christianity as our core resource for teaching Christianity

 

These two resources complement each other and provide a spiral curriculum, enabling children to revisit key themes and deepen their understanding over time.

Our teaching ensures that pupils:

  • Weigh up different sources of belief and evidence, expressing their insights respectfully.
     

  • Develop systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews.
     

  • Learn to articulate their personal beliefs, ideas, and values clearly, while respecting the rights and beliefs of others.
     

  • Gain and apply the skills to interpret and evaluate texts, sources and religious authority.
     

The Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus focuses on three core elements which underpin all learning:

  1. Content - six core features of worldviews that pupils need to understand in deepening ways through their R.E lessons.

  2. Engaging - how pupils encounter the worldviews studied. 

  3. Position - pupils growing awareness of how their own personal worldviews play a role in their learning and living.
     

Time Allocation

RE is a statutory entitlement for all pupils from Reception to Year 6 and receives at least 5% of curriculum time, equating to approximately:

  • 36 hours annually for EYFS and KS1
     

  • 45 hours annually for KS2

Assessment

Assessment in RE is based on the end-of-phase expectations outlined in the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus. Pupils are assessed on their progress in the three core elements: making sense, understanding impact and making connections. Assessment outcomes inform future planning, ensuring that teaching is responsive and personalised to children’s needs.

Working in Partnership with Parents and the Community

We value strong partnerships with parents and the wider community.
Our collaboration with St Margaret’s Church provides opportunities for shared worship, reflection and celebration throughout the year. Parents and families are regularly invited to join these events, reinforcing the link between home, school and faith.


Through these partnerships, we strengthen pupils’ understanding of belonging, community and shared values.

Religious Education Impact

 

By the end of their RE journey at Oak Hill, pupils will have:

  • A deep and respectful understanding of Christianity, other world religions and non-religious worldviews.
     

  • The ability to reflect on and articulate their own beliefs and values with confidence and respect.
     

  • Developed empathy, compassion and understanding for others, fostering a sense of global citizenship.
     

  • A sense of moral responsibility, making thoughtful and positive choices guided by Christian values.

 

Our pupils will demonstrate:

  • Confidence in discussing big questions about life, faith and meaning, expressing and respecting differing viewpoints.
     

  • Curiosity about the beliefs and traditions of others, with a desire to learn more about the world around them.
     

  • Spiritual growth, shown through self-awareness, reflection, and living out values such as kindness, hope and integrity, as pupils grow spiritually in relation to themselves, others, and something greater than themselves.
     

The impact of our RE curriculum is evident not only in pupils’ knowledge and understanding but in the compassionate, reflective and respectful attitudes they display each day.

 Through RE, and in keeping with our school vision—Learn, Grow, Flourish—we aim for every child to develop strong roots in faith and understanding, grow in wisdom and empathy, and flourish as responsible, active members of their communities.