Our approach
At Ark Castledown we understand the importance of teaching a broad and balanced high quality RE Curriculum. Our RE curriculum provides our pupils with knowledge and understanding of the world’s major religions and promotes tolerance and acceptance of different beliefs. Drawing on the British Values our children are taught to respect and value the beliefs of people they might meet throughout their lives.
We follow the East Sussex Local Authority Agreed Syllabus for RE where pupils study Christianity alongside other major religions such as Judaism, Islam and Hinduism.
RE is taught through Drop Down Days where all pupils have one day per term where they become fully immersed in their learning. It allows pupils to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the religion they are learning about that term. We use a resource created by Discovery RE to support planning.
Pupils in EYFS explore mainly Christianity, learning about Christian celebrations and festivals. They also explore places of special meaning and special stories.
Pupils in KS1 continue to develop their knowledge of Christianity and also learn about Judaism and Islam. In both year groups pupils start to make connections across different religions as thematic units are explored. Towards the end of each year pupils bring together their knowledge to discuss and compare religions.
Pupils in KS2 build upon the knowledge they have gained in Christianity, Judaism and Islam and they are also introduced to Hinduism. Pupils are encouraged to think critically as they continue to study thematic units where they are able to make comparisons and explore and discuss important questions.
Parents/carers are able to withdraw their child from RE or collective worship but should discuss this with the Principal.
Reception
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Discovering Being Special Where do we belong? |
Discovering Christianity Why is Christmas special for Christians? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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Discovering Christianity Why is the word ‘God’ so important to Christians? |
Discovering Christianity Why is Easter special for Christians? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Discovering Special Places What places are special and why? | Discovering Special Stories What times/stories are special and why? |
Year 1
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Thematic What does it mean to belong to a faith community? |
Exploring Christianity What do Christians believe God is like? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Judaism Who is Jewish and how do they live? |
Exploring Judaism Who is Jewish and how do they live? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Christianity Who do Christians say made the world? |
Exploring Judaism Who is Jewish and how do they live? |
Year 2
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Islam Who is a Muslim and how do they live? Part 1 |
Exploring Christianity Why does Christmas matter to Christians? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Islam Who is a Muslim and how do they live? Part 2 |
Exploring Christianity Why does Easter matter to Christians? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Exploring Christianity What is the ‘good news’ Christians believe Jesus brings? |
Exploring Thematic What makes some places sacred to believers? (Christian and Muslim) |
Year 3
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Connecting Christianity What do Christians learn from the Creation story? What is it like for someone to follow God? |
Connecting Christianity What do Christians learn from the Creation story? What is it like for someone to follow God? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Connecting Islam How do festivals and worship show what matters to a Muslim? |
Connecting Hinduism What do Hindus believe God is like? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
|
Connecting Christianity What do Christians Believe Jesus did to ‘save’ people? |
Connecting Thematic How and why do people try to make the world a better place? (Christian, Muslim and non-religious world views |
Year 4
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Connecting Hinduism What does it mean to be Hindu in Britain today? |
Connecting Christianity What is the ‘Trinity’ and why is it important for Christians? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
Connecting Christianity What kind of world did Jesus want? |
Connecting Christianity Why do Christians call the day Jesus died ‘Good Friday’? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
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Connecting Judaism How do festivals and family life show what matters to Jewish people? |
Connecting Thematic How and why do people mark the significant events of life? (Christian, Muslim, Hindu and non-religious world views) |
Year 5
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
Connecting Christianity For Christians, what kind of king is Jesus? |
Connecting Islam What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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Connecting Christianity Why do Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah? |
Connecting Hindiusm Why do Hindus want to be good? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
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Connecting Christianity Christians and how to live: ‘What would Jesus do?’ |
Connecting Thematic What matters most to Humanists and Christians? (Christian, non-religious world views with opportunities to include other faiths studied) |
Year 6
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
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Connecting Christianity Creation and Science: Conflicting or complementary? |
Connecting Thematic Why do some people believe in God and some people not? (Christian, non-religious world views) |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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Connecting Judiasm Why is the Torah so important to Jewish people? |
Connecting Christianity For Christians, when Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|