Religious Education

Religious Education has an important part to play in promoting the spiritual, moral, social, cultural and intellectual development of our pupils and in helping them to gain a greater understanding of themselves and a more sympathetic awareness of the needs of others.

We believe that teaching of R.E. should be a child-centred, exciting journey. Children will learn to understand the world and their place in it, know that all members of the school community show respect and tolerance for others whilst developing better cultural awareness. Children’s thinking skills will be enhanced through child-led philosophical discussions.

RE is taught, as in other curriculum areas, by starting from the pupils’ own life experiences and relating these to similar or different experiences of other people in the local community and in the wider national and international community.

St James’ Junior School is made up of staff and pupils from many cultures and faith groups. As a school we aim ‘to promote the spiritual, moral, social, emotional, cultural and intellectual development of pupils and of society by encouraging an exploration of and response to those aspects of religion and human experience which raise fundamental questions of belief and value.’ (Newham Agreed syllabus).

During assemblies and lesson time, children have the opportunity to reflect on their learning or a question posed to them. We encourage empathy, understanding and kindness to others, which develops child-led philosophical discussions.

Curriculum Plans