At Yatton Junior School we have a vision:

We want to provide a happy, considerate, secure and supportive environment that promotes respect for self and others, valuing friendships and a life-long love of learning-life in all its fullness. John 10:10

Our Religious education  should enable every child to flourish and to ‘live life in all its fullness.’ (John 10:10).  It will help educate for dignity and respect encouraging all to live life well together.                                        

In short, we say to the children:  We want to ... 'Grow, Celebrate and Make a Difference'

Religious and worldviews education at Yatton Juniors creates learning about and from religions and worldviews for pupils to gain knowledge and understanding of the main world faiths, develop enquiry skills and learn more about the world and themselves. Through a multi-faceted pedagogical approach to Religion and Worldviews pupils gain an understanding of the struggle and impact of religions and worldviews locally, nationally and globally. As they study each worldview, pupils are encouraged to gain an understanding of lived religion and belief as represented today, exploring diversity within and between religions.

Implementation

Our RE curriculum

In recognition of both the Christian Foundation of the Junior school and the legal requirements for teaching RE, our teaching is planned in line with the LA syllabus , supported by some units from the Jigsaw RE scheme  and the use of the Church of England resource 'Understanding Christianity'.

We believe Religious Education helps children not only to gain a deeper understanding the nature of religion but also aid their quest for meaning and purpose, and the development of their own beliefs, attitudes and values. 

Religious Education provides opportunities for the children to ask and discuss challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.  It develops children's knowledge and understanding of the nature of Christianity and other major religions, various religious traditions and world in the context of a diverse society. Their increased understanding of various beliefs and world views helps to develop empathy, respect and sensitivity towards others, challenge prejudices and promote ways in which communities can live and work together. RE offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual and moral development, and contributes towards children's self awareness and well being. 

An overview of the RE units studied throughout the Junior School can be seen below. All units are based around a key question.

Bible Stories

Each week children across the school have a class assembly. During this, they read a passage from their Children's Bible which is linked to the current Christian Value being explored or to key Christian festivals in the church calendar.  Meanings or messages from the Bible story of the week are discussed in class and children have the opportunity to reflect on these each time.

Impact

On leaving Yatton Junior School in Year 6, Religious education will have given pupils a varied knowledge of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and some knowledge of other religions and non-religious ‘worldviews’, particularly Humanism.

Children will have explored big questions every term and reflected and debated their own opinions and ideas. They will have built core skills in RE through a varied pedagogical experience in the classroom. Pupils will have an appreciation of the diversity of the world and country we live in and in combination with our school values, they will have learned the importance of respecting and advocating the beliefs and values of others.