Intent Statement

At Meadowhead Junior School, our intent for Religious Education is to deliver a high-quality, enquiry-based RE curriculum that follows Questful RE, the Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education syllabus. Our curriculum recognises that rather than simply acquiring information, quality RE leads to wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

By embracing the explicit teaching of Christian concepts, the Questful RE syllabus enables pupils to develop a deep and coherent understanding of Christianity. In addition, through the exploration of all major world faiths and discussion of non-religious world views, pupils gain the knowledge and understanding needed to engage thoughtfully with life’s experiences, both now and in the future.

Questful RE acknowledges that whoever we are, wherever we live, whether we are a person of faith or not, we all have a view of the world. Through carefully structured enquiry questions, pupils are encouraged to explore, challenge and reflect upon these views in a respectful and informed way. This supports the development of religious literacy, critical thinking and personal reflection, while contributing positively to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Pupils will experience, explore and encounter a wide range of creative and challenging multisensory activities that will help them to discover the answers to fundamental questions such as these: –

• Who am I and what does it mean to be me?
• In what ways do/can I relate to others?
• How/where can I encounter God?
• How can I make a positive contribution to the world in which I live?
• What values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviour are important to me?
• What does it mean to have faith?
• Who/what influences and inspires me?

Implementation Statement

The Questful RE scheme provides a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum that builds knowledge and understanding over time.

Key elements of implementation include:

• A concept-led, spiral curriculum that revisits and deepens understanding of key religious concepts
• Clear progression in both substantive knowledge (beliefs, teachings and practices) and disciplinary knowledge (how religion and worldviews are explored and understood)
• Use of high-quality resources and stimuli such as stories, sacred texts, artefacts and real-life examples
• Regular opportunities for discussion, debate and reflection, allowing pupils to express and justify their ideas respectfully
• Explicit teaching of religious vocabulary, enabling pupils to communicate their understanding with increasing confidence and accuracy

RE is taught regularly across KS2 in accordance with the agreed syllabus, with lessons adapted to ensure accessibility, inclusion and challenge for all learners.

Impact Statement

Pupils:

• Demonstrate a secure and developing understanding of a range of religions and worldviews
• Use accurate religious vocabulary and explain key concepts with increasing depth
• Ask thoughtful questions and make reasoned connections between beliefs, practices and values
• Show respect, empathy and understanding towards people of different faiths and beliefs

By the end of KS2, pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education, having developed the skills to think critically, reflect deeply and engage positively in a diverse and multi-faith society.