Deanesfield Primary School is part of the London borough of Hillingdon which is religiously and culturally diverse. We are proud that our borough represents so many different faiths and that this is reflected in the lives of the children and staff at Deanesfield. As a school we recognise the variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds from which our pupils come from, and as a UNCR rights respecting school we are sensitive to the background of each child and welcome their beliefs.

The aim of religious education at Deanesfield Primary School is to help our children learn about and learn from different religious and spiritual insights, beliefs and practices so that they can learn about the world around them. We want our children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of a variety of religious traditions represented in our school in order to appreciate the way that religious (or non-religious) beliefs shape our lives and behaviour. We want them to develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues, whilst at the same time enhancing their own spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness.

The content of the RE curriculum at Deanesfield reflects that religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while considering the teachings and practices of other principle religions and non-faith belief systems represented throughout our school and borough. Children develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other major world faiths including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Judaism as well as the tradition of Humanism.

As much as possible, all units of learning make links to other religions, building on prior learning and helping the children to understand the community where they belong.

Children throughout he school develop a progression of understanding of religious belief through these key areas:

• Ideas of God
• Teachings
• Response from a believer
• Festivals and celebrations
• Places of worship.

Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways ensuring that all children can access and participate in lessons. Interactive, practical activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.

We value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely. All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community. We help children to develop a sense of their own identity and foster respect and sensitivity to those following different faiths. We do all this through following the Hillingdon Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education.

Hillingdon Religious Education Syllabus

https://modgov.hillingdon.gov.uk/documents/s27156/Hillingdon%20RE%20Syllabus%20-%20Final.pdf

The IMPACT of RE at Deanesfield.

The children at Deanesfield Primary enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. We have fostered an atmosphere where pupils are confident to share their thoughts and beliefs with one another in the classroom environment, knowing that their peers will listen with thoughtfulness and respect. Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. As such, R.E. is invaluable in an ever changing and shrinking world.