In Religious Education (RE) at Leighton Academy, our programme is based on the Cheshire East agreed syllabus. The RE curriculum aims to develop religious literacy through the use of different lenses such as: Theology (believing), Philosophy (thinking) and Human and Social Sciences (living). Our lessons allow children to encounter different religions and cultures, develop understanding and tolerance and have the opportunity to discuss their ideas, thoughts and learning. Our aim is to help children to develop knowledge, acceptance and understanding of different religions and cultures, so that they are empathetic towards people’s religious beliefs and values in their local community and in the wider world.
At Leighton Academy, RE is taught to all age groups mainly through weekly lessons. We have devised a progressive curriculum within our MAT following the SACRE guidelines and locally agreed syllabus of Cheshire East. In total, we cover twenty-seven Christianity units, four Judaism units, two Hinduism units, five Islam units and four free units. This grounding prepares and ensures that our pupils have a similar experience and knowledge to other pupils in Cheshire East area, for their continuing academic journey at high school. These units are covered through using an enquiry question each half term. To enhance the learning of RE, we encourage learning about religious experiences, such as, visiting the local church, meeting religious speakers and handling real artefacts, where possible. (Please note this curriculum is currently a working document which we are working on alongside RE Leaders from our MAT and other local schools with the SACRE team.)
At Leighton Academy, we strive to make sure that all Religious Education lessons are engaging and that all learning is inclusive to ensure children make good progress. We ensure that all pupils are educated to develop spiritually, academically, emotionally and morally and are supported in their learning. Our Religious Education curriculum extends a child’s knowledge and understanding of different religions, develops an understanding of religious vocabulary, allows them to apply a range of knowledge and facts, reflect upon questions of meaning, while offering their own sensitive and informed insights, and to appreciate and understand the ways in which people worship.
