At Launde, we follow the ‘Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education’. In Foundation stage we begin by encouraging the children to share their own experiences of religion and celebrations. Across their time at Launde we develop the children’s knowledge of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and Hinduism. Children are encouraged to understand and respect different religious beliefs, values and traditions. We discuss the similarities between religions and each other, promoting equality and respect for the opinions of others. The curriculum is enhanced with visits to different religious buildings in the local area to further their understanding.

'The principal aim of religious education is to explore what
people believe and what difference this makes to how they
live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding
and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and
belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.'

Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus

 

At Launde, we teach the Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus for RE. The LAS describes that the principal aim of RE ‘is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.’ This aim is supported by the RE curriculum at Launde.

Intent

As a school, we are fortunate to be at the centre of a multi-cultural community. Our children are part of many different faith communities including Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Christian families. Religious education and tolerance for the beliefs of others is not simply a lesson to be taught weekly, but is reinforced daily through our school and classroom ethos and the way we treat each other.

The Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus has 3 key aims:

1. Make sense of a range of religious and non-religious beliefs
2. Understand the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs
3. Make connections between religious and non-religious beliefs, concepts, practices and ideas studied

The Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus is delivered to a high standard by classroom teachers in the early years and by a RE curriculum team teacher as the children move to Key Stage 2. The RE curriculum is enhanced in different ways. We are part of a multi-cultural community and from the very beginning of their time at Launde, children are encouraged to show photos, bring in special items and talk to the class and their peers about their religion and different celebrations. From the age of 4, our children are taught to listen, share but above all respect the different beliefs of others

Implementation

Across the curriculum, we learn about the beliefs and practices of a range of religions including Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam. The children are encouraged from Key Stage 1 to start relating the different stories and traditions they have learnt and to compare them with their own lives. We learn both about religion and we learn from religion. As part of the curriculum, we also discuss and learn about the family traditions in non-religious families to compare and contrast respectfully.

Our lessons involve opportunities for the children to review previous learning, evaluate sources of information and understand that the views and beliefs of others should be highly respected as outlined in the Leicestershire Agreed Syllabus. Key questions are used at the beginning of each topic to encourage the children to think and begin to appreciate their views. These are then developed sequentially throughout the sequence of learning.  

Our curriculum is enhanced by year group religious assemblies presented to the whole school. We have special assemblies to celebrate Christmas, Eid, Diwali, Easter and Vaisakhi. Each year group will present one assembly, explaining to the rest of the school about the traditions, beliefs, food and music associated with the celebration. This is a fun and engaging way to support the children’s learning and encourage the children to celebrate a range of different festivals. We further support our curriculum with visits to places of worship across their time at Launde. In Key Stage 1, the children walk to their local church and learn about the different features. As they progress through school, the children are given the opportunity to visit a mosque, gurdwara and mandir.

Impact

At the end of their time at Launde, pupils will:

• Have a good understanding of the world’s major religions including beliefs, traditions and celebrations
• Have the confidence to share and discuss their own beliefs and family traditions
• Demonstrate the whole school values of tolerance and respect when listening to the views of others
• Ask questions about, and discuss respectfully, beliefs that differ from their own