RE
At Northwood Park Primary, our RE curriculum is rooted in our core values:
At Northwood Park Primary, our Religious Education (R.E.) curriculum is built upon our core values: Be Kind, Be Brave, Be Proud. We aim to provide a clear, ambitious and inclusive curriculum that enables all pupils to develop respect, understanding and curiosity about religions, beliefs and worldviews. Through R.E., we teach children to treat others as they wish to be treated, helping them to grow into compassionate, respectful and responsible members of our diverse community.
At Northwood Park, pupils typically begin school with starting points that are significantly lower than national expectations, particularly in vocabulary, communication and knowledge of the wider world. Our community also has a higher proportion of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium and pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities compared to national averages. Our R.E. curriculum is designed to close gaps in knowledge, build cultural capital and develop language through structured, engaging and inclusive learning opportunities that support all pupils to succeed.
In line with government guidance, parents and carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education (RE). If you wish to exercise this right, please contact the school at postbox@northwoodparkprimary.co.uk so that appropriate arrangements can be made. We welcome the opportunity to discuss our RE curriculum and answer any questions you may have.
RE at Northwood Park
As R.E. is not part of the National Curriculum, it is the responsibility of the Local Authority to ensure there is a Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) in place locally. At Northwood Park Primary, we follow the locally agreed syllabus to ensure pupils receive a high quality, balanced and progressive R.E. curriculum.
Our curriculum ensures that every child develops strong knowledge of major world religions and worldviews while exploring big questions about identity, belonging, belief and morality. We encourage pupils to reflect on their own beliefs and values, whilst developing respect for the beliefs of others. Through this, we empower children to challenge prejudice and stereotypes, preparing them to thrive in modern British society and the diverse community in which they live.
A key priority across our curriculum is our Golden Thread of Reading, which is woven throughout R.E. learning. Pupils engage with a wide range of high-quality texts, including religious stories, sacred scriptures, non-fiction texts and culturally rich literature. This supports pupils in developing vocabulary, comprehension skills and deeper understanding of religious concepts, whilst promoting a love of reading and strengthening communication skills.
EYFS
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, R.E. is delivered through play-based and exploratory learning, where children are introduced to religious celebrations, traditions and stories. This supports early language development, curiosity and understanding of similarities and differences between people and communities.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage One, pupils begin to learn about Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. They explore religious stories, symbols and celebrations and begin to understand how faith influences people’s lives and communities.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage Two, pupils build on prior knowledge by studying religions and worldviews in greater depth. They develop critical thinking skills, ask thoughtful questions and learn to respectfully discuss and evaluate different beliefs. Pupils are encouraged to become independent thinkers who are confident in expressing their own views whilst showing understanding and respect for others.
We enrich R.E. through cross-curricular learning, including Art, Music, performance and assemblies that celebrate major religious festivals. Each half term, Reverend Poole from St. Mary’s Church visits the children to deliver an assembly in school, alternating between EYFS, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. These experiences, alongside visitors, visits and wider community links, help pupils develop confidence, creativity and a deeper understanding of faith in real-life contexts.
Through our R.E. curriculum, we intend that all pupils leave Northwood Park Primary as respectful, knowledgeable and reflective individuals who embody our values to Be Kind, Be Brave and Be Proud. Pupils will be well prepared to live and contribute positively to a diverse society, demonstrating tolerance, empathy and understanding of the world around them.
Curriculum Overview
Learn more about our vision for RE and the impact it will have on our children.
