R.E

A Message from Miss Purdy-subject leader

I have the joy of leading Religious Education throughout the school. My passion is to ensure RE lessons are interesting, challenging and a time during which children can reflect on their own beliefs and those of others.  Throughout the year, I monitor the teaching of RE and children's books to ensure children have the very best learning opportunities. Lesson observations indicate that overall teaching is good with 40% outstanding. 

Following an analysis of monitoring last year ( 2016-17), a decision was made to reinvigorate RE by introducing a new scheme which would provide opportunities for children to work at depth. This scheme is in line with the Agreed Syllabus for RE in Sunderland and Durham. It was selected because starting points for each module begin with the children and their experiences in life. and ask a question for children to investigate. For instance, Year 5 are asked to consider the difference between purpose and destiny. Here are some of their responses:

• Destiny means that you don't really have a choice because it's already planned for you and you don't have any control over it. (Ben E)
• Destiny means that there's a plan already set out and you can't do anything to change it. (Frances)
• Someone with destiny is Queen Elizabeth 11. She was forced to be Queen because of who her dad was. (Ben W)
• Purpose means you choose what you are going to do. (Susannah)
• An example of purpose in Martin Luther King when he won the Nobel Peace Prize (Aaron)
• I would like to be a dance teacher but this is a plan not  destiny. (Macy)
• We can't always reach our goals...it' s like Mrs Houston being a footballer. Destiny sometimes comes in. (Joe)
• My plan for life is to be a comedian....I think I'm quite funny (Finley)
• Sometimes you want to achieve your goal but sometimes destiny pushes you in the wrong direction. (Arron)

Schemes are considered by teachers to be the basis for planning work but are adapted to suit the needs of the class. Also to consider within our planning is the rich cultural heritage of the North East and how we can enhance our learning through visiting "experts" and visits out.

Teachers assess each pupil continually and make a judgement when completing modules. Teachers decide whether children are at a basic, advancing or deep level. Advancing is where we would expect the majority of the class to be.  However, we believe in a challenge and support curriculum so assessments help us to plan strategies and activities to help children at basic level move towards advancing and, similarly, enable us to find ways for children to work at a more deep level. Assessments are handed to me twice a year so that the progress of children and groups can be monitored, teachers challenged and, determined to continue to improve standards, they are at the core of professional dialogue .

Standards in RE in Our School April 2018

88% of children between Years 1 to 6 are attaining Age Related Expectations or better.

22% of children between years 1 to 6 are working at a deeper level.

Mrs Houston (Yr 5 teacher) described her RE teaching this year as being on a completely different sphere. She says that the children particularly like how the programme begins with their own experiences and works outwards from there.

In September 2017 the areas identified for raising standards in RE include:

• Providing an enquiry based RE curriculum to further challenge children and to think more deeply.
• Make links with the arts, in particular art and music.
• To develop links with religious places and people in the locality.
• To move teaching to be outstanding overall.

Religious Education in Year 1 2017-18

We will also listen to and discuss stories from Buddhism.

Religious Education in Year 2 2017-18

We will also listen to and discuss stories from Buddhism.

Religious Education 2017-18 Year 3 

Religious Education 2017-18 Year 4

Religious Education Year 5 2017-2018

During our study of Christianity we will also learn about the devotion and impact of the Northern Saints on our region and beyond.

Religion in Year 6 2017-18

YEAR 4 visited Seaburn New Church, hosted a visit by the Salvation Army and learnt the meaning of the Christingle, as part of our preparation for Christmas.