Religious education
Religious education (RE) is the study of world religions and beliefs. It's an essential part of a broad and balanced curriculum, supporting children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development – helping them explore the deep meaning people find in their experiences, and how this gives purpose to their lives.
Our approach
RE is relevant for every child, whatever their religion or beliefs. At Staverton, we value each child, acknowledge that everyone holds their own point of view, and accept them for who they are.
We want children to leave Staverton holding that same respect for other faiths – understanding how religion shapes individuals, families, communities and cultures, and exploring the political and social impact of religion alongside questions of justice, truth and the meaning of life.
You can read our RE policy, including information about your right to withdraw your child from RE lessons, on our Policies page.
Understanding Christianity
Roughly half of our RE units focus on Christianity, taught through the Understanding Christianity scheme, which explores key themes from the Bible’s story: Creation, People of God, Incarnation, Gospel, Salvation and Kingdom of God. Each unit starts with the text and key story, explores its impact on Christian lives today, then invites children to reflect on their own views.
Exploring other faiths
Our remaining units explore other world views. In Key Stage 1, children study Islam and Judaism; in Key Stage 2, they also study Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Humanism, including agnostic and atheist world views. Units follow the Emmanuel Project’s enquiry cycle: Engaging, Enquiring, Exploring, Evaluating and Expressing.
RE Curriculum Map
Here's exactly what each year group studies, term by term.
Year Groups
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Term 5
Term 6
EYFS
- Special People – What makes people special?
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – Why do Christians perform nativity plays at Christmas?
- Celebrations – How do people celebrate?
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why do Christians put a cross in an Easter garden?
- Stories – What can we learn from stories?
- Understanding Christianity: Creation – Why is the word 'God' so important to Christians?
KS1, Year A
- Understanding Christianity: Creation – Who made the world?
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – What do Christians believe God is like?
- Judaism – Why is the Torah such a joy for the Jewish community?
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why does Easter matter to Christians?
- Judaism – Why do Jewish families say so many prayers and blessings?
- Judaism – Why is learning to do good deeds so important to Jewish families?
KS1, Year B
- Judaism – Why do Jewish families talk about repentance at New Year?
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – Why does Christmas matter to Christians?
- Understanding Christianity: Gospel – What is the good news Jesus brings?
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why does Easter matter to Christians?
- Islam – How do some Muslims show that Allah is compassionate and merciful?
- Understanding Christianity: God – What do Christians believe God is like?
LKS2, Year A
- Understanding Christianity: People of God – What is it like to follow God?
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – What is the Trinity?
- Judaism – What symbols and stories help Jewish people remember their covenant with God?
- Understanding Christianity: Kingdom of God – When Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost?
- Sikhism – How does the teaching of gurus move Sikhs from dark to light?
- Sikhism – How do Sikhs put their beliefs about equality into practice?
LKS2, Year B
- Hinduism – Why does a Hindu want to collect good karma?
- Hinduism – How does the story of Rama and Sita inspire Hindus to follow their dharma?
- Understanding Christianity: Gospel – What kind of world did Jesus want?
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why do Christians call the day Jesus died 'Good Friday'?
- Islam – How does a Muslim show their submission and obedience to Allah?
- Understanding Christianity: Creation/Fall – What do Christians learn from the creation story?
UKS2, Year A
- Understanding Christianity: People of God – How can following God bring freedom and justice?
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – Was Jesus the Messiah?
- Judaism – What is holiness for Jewish people: a place, a time, an object or something else?
- Understanding Christianity: Kingdom of God – What kind of king is Jesus?
- Buddhism – How did Buddha teach his followers to find enlightenment?
- Buddhism – How does Triple Refuge help Buddhists in their journey through life?
UKS2, Year B
- Humanism – Why do Humanists say happiness is the goal of life?
- Islam – How does tawhid create a sense of belonging in the Muslim community?
- Understanding Christianity: Gospel – What would Jesus do?
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – What did Jesus do to save human beings?
- Islam – What does the Qur'an reveal about Allah and his guidance?
- Understanding Christianity: Creation/Fall – Creation and science: conflicting or complementary?
EYFS
Term 1
- Special People – What makes people special?
Term 2
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – Why do Christians perform nativity plays at Christmas?
Term 3
- Celebrations – How do people celebrate?
Term 4
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why do Christians put a cross in an Easter garden?
Term 5
- Stories – What can we learn from stories?
Term 6
- Understanding Christianity: Creation – Why is the word 'God' so important to Christians?
KS1, Year A
Term 1
- Understanding Christianity: Creation – Who made the world?
Term 2
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – What do Christians believe God is like?
Term 3
- Judaism – Why is the Torah such a joy for the Jewish community?
Term 4
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why does Easter matter to Christians?
Term 5
- Judaism – Why do Jewish families say so many prayers and blessings?
Term 6
- Judaism – Why is learning to do good deeds so important to Jewish families?
KS1, Year B
Term 1
- Judaism – Why do Jewish families talk about repentance at New Year?
Term 2
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – Why does Christmas matter to Christians?
Term 3
- Understanding Christianity: Gospel – What is the good news Jesus brings?
Term 4
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why does Easter matter to Christians?
Term 5
- Islam – How do some Muslims show that Allah is compassionate and merciful?
Term 6
- Understanding Christianity: God – What do Christians believe God is like?
LKS2, Year A
Term 1
- Understanding Christianity: People of God – What is it like to follow God?
Term 2
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – What is the Trinity?
Term 3
- Judaism – What symbols and stories help Jewish people remember their covenant with God?
Term 4
- Understanding Christianity: Kingdom of God – When Jesus left, what was the impact of Pentecost?
Term 5
- Sikhism – How does the teaching of gurus move Sikhs from dark to light?
Term 6
- Sikhism – How do Sikhs put their beliefs about equality into practice?
LKS2, Year B
Term 1
- Hinduism – Why does a Hindu want to collect good karma?
Term 2
- Hinduism – How does the story of Rama and Sita inspire Hindus to follow their dharma?
Term 3
- Understanding Christianity: Gospel – What kind of world did Jesus want?
Term 4
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – Why do Christians call the day Jesus died 'Good Friday'?
Term 5
- Islam – How does a Muslim show their submission and obedience to Allah?
Term 6
- Understanding Christianity: Creation/Fall – What do Christians learn from the creation story?
UKS2, Year A
Term 1
- Understanding Christianity: People of God – How can following God bring freedom and justice?
Term 2
- Understanding Christianity: Incarnation – Was Jesus the Messiah?
Term 3
- Judaism – What is holiness for Jewish people: a place, a time, an object or something else?
Term 4
- Understanding Christianity: Kingdom of God – What kind of king is Jesus?
Term 5
- Buddhism – How did Buddha teach his followers to find enlightenment?
Term 6
- Buddhism – How does Triple Refuge help Buddhists in their journey through life?
UKS2, Year B
Term 1
- Humanism – Why do Humanists say happiness is the goal of life?
Term 2
- Islam – How does tawhid create a sense of belonging in the Muslim community?
Term 3
- Understanding Christianity: Gospel – What would Jesus do?
Term 4
- Understanding Christianity: Salvation – What did Jesus do to save human beings?
Term 5
- Islam – What does the Qur'an reveal about Allah and his guidance?
Term 6
- Understanding Christianity: Creation/Fall – Creation and science: conflicting or complementary?
