Religion and Worldviews

Religious Education plays a vital role in the curriculum by supporting pupils’ personal development and helping them make sense of the diverse world in which they live. It introduces children to a range of religions and worldviews, enabling them to explore beliefs, values, and traditions that shape people’s lives and communities.  RE encourages curiosity and open-mindedness. Through learning about different faiths and perspectives, pupils begin to understand that people hold a variety of beliefs, helping to foster respect and tolerance from an early age.

Intent

At Stanton Primary, Religious Education is known as Religion and Worldviews to reflect the rich diversity both between and within religions, as well as the wide range of personal worldviews held by individuals. We recognise that many of our pupils do not identify with a structured religious tradition; however, each child brings their own experiences, values, and moral understanding, all of which contribute to their unique worldview.

Religion and Worldviews aims to develop pupils’ understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, nurturing curiosity, respect, and the ability to reflect on their own beliefs and values. Through exploring key beliefs, practices, stories, celebrations, and moral teachings, pupils learn to recognise both similarities and differences between traditions and to appreciate the diverse communities around them.

Religion and Worldviews supports pupils in becoming thoughtful, open‑minded, and compassionate individuals who can engage in meaningful discussion, ask deep questions, and understand how beliefs influence people’s lives. It encourages them to think critically, express their ideas with confidence, and develop a sense of identity and belonging.

By the end of their time at Stanton Primary, our vision is that pupils will have built a secure foundation of knowledge, an appreciation for diversity, and the skills needed to navigate a multi‑faith, multi‑cultural world with empathy and understanding.

Curriculum Implementation

Religion and Worldviews at Stanton is taught using Jigsaw RE, an enquiry‑based scheme of learning that introduces pupils to the principal world faiths and humanism/ ethical veganism in a clear, progressive way from Nursery to Year 6. In the Early Years, learning is closely aligned with Development Matters, ensuring that Religion and Worldviews contributes meaningfully to each child’s holistic development. Across all enquiries, pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is intentionally woven through the learning.

Each enquiry spans half a term and begins with a “big question”, such as “What is the best way for a Christian/Jew/Muslim to show commitment to God?” Pupils first explore the theme of the enquiry—such as commitment—through their own lived experience. They consider questions like: What have I shown commitment to? Brownies? Cubs? A sports team? Learning an instrument?

This grounding in personal experience ensures that pupils fully understand the concept before exploring how followers of a particular religion or worldview understand it. They then spend approximately three lessons investigating the beliefs, practices and perspectives of the studied tradition, using a range of learning approaches that encourage curiosity, critical thinking and respectful dialogue.

In Week 5, pupils complete an assessment activity that enables them to answer the “big question” using the knowledge they have gained. These assessments are accessible, varied and child‑friendly, allowing pupils to express their conclusions in different ways as long as they can justify their thinking. This approach highlights the level of critical thinking pupils can apply—an essential skill across the wider curriculum.

The final week of each enquiry provides time for reflection. Pupils consider what they have learned about the concept and how it relates to their own developing worldview. For example: “Learning that Sikhs share food with everyone who attends the langar has taught me… about sharing that I want to take forward.” These lessons are often creative, giving pupils opportunities to express themselves through art, drama, discussion or practical activities.

Jigsaw RE allows schools to choose which religions to teach in each year group. At Stanton, pupils study Christianity every year alongside one additional religion or worldview. This structure enables pupils to become deeply immersed in their learning and reduces confusion across traditions. Christianity remains the predominant worldview taught, reflecting both the heritage of this country and the importance of helping pupils understand the beliefs and practices that shape many local and national celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas.

Support for Pupils with SEND

Pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are supported through inclusive, adaptive teaching that ensures all learners can access, engage with, and succeed in the curriculum. Lessons are carefully planned to provide appropriate levels of challenge and support, enabling every child to develop their understanding of different religions and worldviews.

Teachers use a range of strategies, including differentiated tasks, visual resources, simplified texts, and scaffolded questioning to support understanding. Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to aid comprehension, while opportunities for discussion, role play, and practical activities allow pupils to engage with learning in a variety of ways.

Where needed, additional adult support is provided to guide pupils, reinforce key concepts, and promote independence. Learning is broken down into manageable steps, with regular checking for understanding to ensure pupils remain confident and included.