Religious Education: opening hearts and minds
Religious Education helps children make sense of the world, understand what matters to people and learn how to live well alongside others. At All Saints and Selston, RE is a lively, thoughtful and much-valued part of school life.
Through stories, questions, discussion, artefacts, visits, music, art and play, children discover Christianity and encounter a range of religious and non-religious worldviews. They develop knowledge, curiosity and respect while learning to express their own ideas with growing confidence.
In one sentence
We want every child to know more, think deeply, ask thoughtful questions and respond respectfully to people whose beliefs may be similar to or different from their own.
What we believe about RE
As Church of England infant and nursery schools, we believe that excellent RE contributes to the flourishing of every child. It supports intellectual, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and reflects our vision of ‘Opening hearts and minds through the grace and love of God.’
RE enables children to:
- build secure knowledge of Christianity as a diverse, global and living faith;
- learn about other religious and non-religious worldviews;
- explore questions about meaning, purpose, identity, belonging and values;
- listen to different perspectives and speak about their own ideas respectfully;
- grow in curiosity, empathy, wisdom and religious literacy.
What might my child do in RE?
Discover
Hear sacred and significant stories, explore artefacts and symbols, encounter festivals and places of worship, and meet members of faith communities.
Enquire
Ask big questions, look closely at sources, compare ideas and consider what beliefs mean for the way people live.
Respond
Talk, draw, write, create, role-play, reflect and explain what they have learned and what they think.
How our curriculum is organised
Our RE curriculum follows the Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2026–2031 and the Church of England Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education. We also use Understanding Christianity to help children engage with biblical texts and build a coherent understanding of Christian belief.
Christianity at the heart of the curriculum
Christianity is the principal religion studied and accounts for at least half of our RE curriculum. Children revisit important Christian concepts, including God, Creation, Incarnation, Gospel and Salvation, so that understanding becomes deeper and more connected over time.
Learning about a range of worldviews
Alongside Christianity, children learn about Judaism, Islam and other religious and non-religious worldviews, including Humanism. They explore both shared ideas and important differences, recognising that there is diversity within as well as between communities.
Three helpful ways of exploring RE
Theology: What do people believe, and which texts, stories and sources shape those beliefs?
Philosophy: What questions do people ask about life, meaning, truth and values?
Human and social sciences: How are religion and belief lived and expressed by individuals and communities?
RE in Nursery and Reception
In the Early Years, RE begins with what children know: family, belonging, special people, treasured objects, celebrations, stories and the natural world. Children learn through talk, play, stories, songs, music, artefacts, creative activity, visitors and first-hand experiences.
They explore questions such as:
- Which stories are special and why?
- Which people and places are special and why?
- What times are special and how are they celebrated?
- Who are we and how do we belong?
- How can we care for our wonderful world?
RE in Years 1 and 2
In Key Stage 1, carefully chosen enquiry questions help children investigate beliefs, stories, festivals, symbols, worship and belonging. They learn to retell and describe, suggest meanings, make connections, identify similarities and differences, and explain why beliefs and practices matter to people.
Lessons are active and memorable. Children may use storytelling, drama, role play, art, music, practical activities, photographs, sacred texts and quiet reflection. Visits and visitors help children encounter lived religion, deepen understanding and challenge stereotypes.
Helpful distinction
RE and collective worship are complementary but different. RE is an academic, non-confessional subject. It teaches children about religion and worldviews objectively, critically and respectfully; it does not seek to persuade them to adopt a particular faith or belief.
How learning develops from Nursery to Year 2
| Stage | Children increasingly… |
|---|---|
| Nursery | listen, notice, talk and respond through play, art, music and movement; recognise that people may have different celebrations and ways of life. |
| Reception | recognise special stories, people, places, objects and times; ask simple questions; make links with their own experiences. |
| Year 1 | retell key stories, describe beliefs and worship, use subject vocabulary and explain why celebrations and values are important. |
| Year 2 | recall and describe beliefs and practices, suggest meanings, explain importance, compare worldviews sensitively and express informed ideas. |
How we include every child
Every pupil is entitled to participate, make progress and achieve highly in RE. Teachers keep expectations ambitious while adapting teaching and resources to children’s needs. Support may include visual prompts, sensory and practical experiences, carefully structured talk, simplified language, adult guidance and alternative ways to show understanding.
Children may demonstrate learning through discussion, drawing, artwork, drama, role play, photographs, symbols, practical activity or writing. This allows every child, including pupils with SEND, to contribute meaningfully.
How we know children are learning
Assessment is part of everyday teaching. Teachers use observation, discussion, questioning and children’s work to understand what pupils know, remember and can explain. We look for increasingly secure vocabulary, stronger connections between ideas, thoughtful questions and informed responses.
Questions parents often ask
No. They are distinct. Collective worship provides opportunities for worship and spiritual reflection within the schools’ Christian character. RE is a curriculum subject with its own dedicated teaching time and learning objectives.
No. RE is non-confessional. Children learn about Christianity and other religious and non-religious worldviews in an objective, enquiring and respectful way.
As Church of England schools, Christianity is the principal religion studied and makes up at least half of curriculum content. Children also learn about a broad and balanced range of other worldviews.
Talk together about celebrations, values, special places and big questions. Visit places of worship or cultural interest, notice religious stories and symbols, and encourage children to ask respectful questions.
Parents and carers have a legal right to withdraw a child wholly or partly from RE. Requests should be made in writing to the Headteacher so that arrangements can be discussed and recorded.
Religious Education
Through RE, children develop knowledge and understanding while learning to be curious, thoughtful and respectful. We want every child to leave our schools with an open heart and mind, ready to live well with others in a richly diverse world.