Religious Education
Subject Lead – Jacqui Pilson
RE Progression Map
RE
At our schools, Religious Education (RE) is a vital part of the curriculum that provokes challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, and what it means to be human. We aim to develop inquisitive, respectful, and well-balanced individuals who can navigate the complexities of a diverse society with critical thinking and discernment.
Our RE syllabus is based on the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Surrey’s Schools 2023-2028. This inclusive curriculum celebrates diversity, allowing pupils to reflect on and learn from the faiths and worldviews of those around them.
- Breadth of Study: In line with the Surrey syllabus, children explore Christianity alongside two other principal religions each year.
- Thematic Units: In the final term of each year, pupils engage in a Thematic unit. This allows them to make meaningful connections between different religions and their own personal experiences.
- Disciplinary Lenses: To ensure a deep and scholarly understanding, every unit is taught through three multi-disciplinary ‘lenses’:
- Theology (Beliefs): Exploring the main teachings and sacred texts of world religions.
- Sociology (Living): Understanding how faith is lived out in communities.
- Philosophy (Thinking): Asking big questions about identity and existence.
- To align with the Surrey Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2023–2028, we have structured our curriculum around the “three pillars of progression.” These pillars ensure that pupils do not just learn facts but also develop the tools to understand and reflect on faith.
Core Pillars of RE
Pillar | What it looks like for our children |
Substantive Knowledge | Learning the key facts, vocabulary, and stories of different faiths and worldviews. This includes understanding sacred texts, rituals, and artefacts. |
Ways of Knowing | Developing disciplinary knowledge by looking through three different lenses: |
Personal Knowledge | Helping children build an awareness of their own values, assumptions, and worldviews. It encourages them to reflect on how their own “viewpoint” connects with what they are learning. |
By the time our pupils leave, they will have developed a rich schema of knowledge and skills. A successful RE learner will:
- Know the core teachings and beliefs of world religions.
- Show genuine tolerance and respect towards both religious and non-religious views.
- Engage with the physical aspects of faith, identifying key artefacts and visiting various places of worship.
- Contribute as a respectful member of their local community and the wider global society.
Useful Links
RE Online – Information about RE curriculum and worldviews
BBC Bitesize – Age-appropriate support and guidance for maths