Being a diverse, muti-faith and cohesive community, individuality, relationships and unity are very much valued and celebrated at Heathrow Primary School regardless of an individual’s background. We follow the HIllingdon RE agreed syllabus.  The syllabus promotes pupil’s self-esteem, cultivates understanding and spiritual and moral development. We teach about the main religions of the world and do not teach the children to worship any of those faiths.  RE provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God/s, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.

Since Autumn term, children have had the opportunity to take part in 'Let's celebrate' events where children can bring in photographs and discuss how they celebrate festivals, such as Diwali at home. The children's experiences and opportunities for learning have been presented on the 'Let's Celebrate' display which is available in every classroom across the school. This will be built upon across the year ahead. They have also been developing their singing skills by creating a class choir of a festive song and art and craft projects to celebrate Christmas. Despite the children being unable to return to school for most part of the Spring term, they have also had the opportunity to learn about Chinese new Year through:

• Videos
• Presentations
• creating their own Zodiac animal
• choose a dish traditionally made during the festivities to make at home

We look forward to continue displaying our learning and experiences on our new RE display in school and deepening our knowledge and understanding of different faiths and cultures in the world.  

Intent

RE is concerned with understanding of the world and appreciation that beliefs shape life and behaviour. Therefore “learning about religion” and “learning from religion” are vital in developing our pupil’s personal, moral, spiritual and social growth. To make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, the Agreed Syllabus have underlined the following religions to be selected for study:

• Christianity
• Islam
• Judaism
• Hinduism 
• Buddhism
• Sikhism

From EYFS to Year Six at Heathrow Primary School, we aim for our children to be able to have:

·         an understanding of their own values and feelings

·         the ability to express their experiences and ideas

·         an awareness and respect for other people and their beliefs

·         an appreciation of the natural world.

Implementation

• In the Early Years Foundation Stage the learning outcomes are referenced to with in the EYFS Framework (Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language & Understanding of the world)
• KS1 - Christianity is studied (and one other principal religion in some depth)
• KS2 – Christianity is studied (and two other principal religions in some depth)

Providing opportunities for different experiences would enable teachers to asses each child’s development throughout the lessons. As a result, children engage in the following:

• Visits and visitors; enabling students to see at first hand religious people, objects, symbols, places, events, stories and explore with people who have faith
• Artefacts, displays and artwork, including music and dance; being able to explore items which are precious and/or used in religious worship, encouraging respect and questioning whilst deepening knowledge
• Staff and parents; by valuing the family backgrounds of the children and making them part of the school community and by allowing staff to be seen as people of faith as well as teachers or LSA

This will be evident in book work as well as a floor book shared between each year group to enable the Subject leader to track the progress and hear the opinions and ideas voiced by pupils.

Impact

Exposing children to the above opportunities allows teachers to assess the children’s learning and progression. Having a subject leader to overlook the teaching of RE and the progress of pupils against the outcomes will enable us to equip the children with the skills and understanding. Providing an atmosphere where all are valued, respected and are encouraged to make a positive difference to the lives of those around us and to the world in which we live is integral to our school. Developing acceptance enables our children to embrace diversity and form relationships with people from different backgrounds with the hope that once they leave Heathrow Primary school, they are rounded learners who are equipped with the knowledge and understanding when they go out into the community.