Religious Education

At Boorley Park Primary School, our Religious Education (RE) teaching and learning follows Hampshire’s Living Difference IV programme.

Each year, based on this syllabus, we aim to provide approximately 36 hours of RE in Reception and Key Stage One, increasing to 45 hours annually in Key Stage Two.

In addition, RE teaching and learning at Boorley Park recognises that modern Britain is predominantly Christian and so this is a religion that is taught in all year groups. Teaching and learning at Boorley Park also acknowledges that there are many other major religions in our country and around the world and we aim to reflect this to support children in developing respect, understanding and appreciation.

As a result, RE teaching and learning at Boorley Park is structured as follows:

In Foundation Stage (Reception), children will learn about the religions also being explored in Key Stage One. At Boorley Park, this means that children will learn about Christianity and Judaism.

In Key Stage One, children will continue their study of Christianity and Judaism.

In Key Stage Two, children are required to learn about Christianity and two other religions. At Boorley Park, children in Years 3 and 4 will learn about Christianity and Hinduism, and in Years 5 and 6 they will learn about Christianity and Islam.

As the curriculum progresses, children are exposed to concepts of increasing complexity. This means that children in Year R and Key Stage One will look at RE through the lens of concepts which are common to all people, such as belonging and family. Following this, children in Years 3 and 4 examine concepts which are common to many religions, for example, worship. Finally, in Year 6, children will investigate concepts which are common to some religions, such as trinity and redemption. In this way, children are able to develop their understanding of the concepts and use their pre-existing knowledge to deepen their understanding of some religions.

In accordance with the law, children are able to withdraw from RE lessons, at the request of their parents, as stated in the Education Act 1996 and the School Standards and Framework Act 1988. If parents wish to withdraw their children from these lessons, this should be discussed with the Head Teacher.

A copy of the Hampshire Living Difference IV plans can be found at the link below:

Hampshire Living Difference Syllabus