RE

The Religious Education Curriculum

At Bentley St Paul's we aim to provide a Religious Education Curriculum which is both rich, engaging and reflective.  One in which children explore the diverse world of beliefs, values and traditions, with a particular emphasis on Christianity.  

Our curriculum supports children's religious literacy and enables them to hold balanced and well informed conversations about religion and world views.  They will be able to make sense of religion and world views around them and begin to understand the complex world in which they live.  

In line with the Essex Agreed Syllabus, as adopted by the Chelmsford Diocese, RE is taught through a multi-disciplinary approach.  Our RE curriculum is rooted in three key disciplines.  These are referred to as lenses.

Children across the school will explore topics through three distinct lenses:

• Theology
• Philosophy
• Human and Social Sciences

Theology

This is 'thinking through believing'.  It focuses on questions that believers would ask and requires children to think like theologians would.  This lens encourages children to explore questions and answers that arise from inside religions and world views.  

Philosophy

This is 'thinking through thinking'.  It focuses on questions thinkers would ask and encourages children to think like philosophers.  Children will explore questions and answers raised through considering the nature of knowledge, existence and morality.

Human and Social Sciences

This is 'thinking through living'.  It is about asking questions that people who have lived reality or phenomena would ask and encourages children to think like human or social scientists.  Children will explore questions and answers raised in relation to to the impact of religions and world views on people and their lives.

Which Religions and Worldviews?

• EYFS - Christianity and at least one other faith.
• Key Stage One - In depth investigation of Christianity and at least one other faith. An encounter with at least one other faith or world view.
• Key Stage Two - In depth investigation of Christianity and at least two other faith. An encounter with at least one other faith or world view.

At Bentley we have looked at our families and to ensure our RE Curriculum includes all of our children we have chosen:

EYFS

Christianity and Hinduism

KS1

Christianity and Hinduism in depth and encountering Judaism

KS2

Christianity, Hinduism and Judaism in depth and encountering Islam and Humanism.