Hillyfield Primary Academy

Curriculum Statement

At Hillyfield Primary Academy, we believe that Religious Education (RE) enables our children to develop into accepting and unprejudiced members of society. RE allows children to explore and understand their own values and beliefs  and those of others in their immediate community and beyond. 

“In a London borough such as Waltham Forest, with its wide diversity of faith, culture and ethnicity, and a Town motto of ‘Fellowship is Life’, it is essential to have a comprehensive RE syllabus that promotes and supports these values.” (Waltham Forest RE Agreed Syllabus 2020)

The teaching of RE equips pupils with systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, enabling them to develop their ideas, values and identities. It develops in pupils an aptitude for dialogue, so that they can participate positively in society, with its diverse religions and worldviews.

Religious Education Events

As a school set in a wonderfully diverse community, we celebrate lots of Religious Festivals, such as:

• Christmas and Easter

• Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha

• Diwali

• Hannukah 

At Hillyfield Primary Academy, children are also given the opportunity to visit different places of worship, such as:

• St John’s Church

• Sri Karpaga Vinayagar Kovil Temple

• Masjid e Umer Mosque

Religious Education Schemes of Work

At Hillyfield Primary Academy, we follow the Waltham Forest RE Agreed Syllabus (2020-2025).  RE is taught fortnightly for 1 hour. The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils:

1. Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals

• identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered, by some of the sources of wisdom2 found in religions and worldviews

• appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.

2. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• Explain, using reasoned arguments, their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities

• express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues

• appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion.

3. Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can:

• investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively

• enquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all 

• articulate clearly beliefs, values and commitments in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.

Online Resources and Support for Parents

BBC Bitesize-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zxnygk7

What your child learns-

https://www.theschoolrun.com/key-stage-1-religious-education