R.E.

At St Martin’s, Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and Christian ethos. Our intent is to nurture every child’s spiritual development, understanding of faith, and respect for others through a rich and inclusive RE curriculum. We aim to help pupils grow into thoughtful, compassionate individuals who know they are loved, valued, and capable of making a positive difference in the world.

Using Understanding Christianity and the Sandwell SACRE Agreed Syllabus, we provide a curriculum that:

Deepens pupils’ knowledge of Christian theology and its relevance to everyday life.
Celebrates diversity by exploring world religions and non-religious worldviews with empathy and curiosity.
Encourages children to reflect on their own beliefs and values, and to appreciate those of others.
Supports pupils in asking big questions about life, meaning, and morality in a safe and respectful space.

Our RE curriculum reflects our vision: that every child belongs, is loved equally, and is celebrated for the unique gifts God has given them.

Through our FRESH values, we create a harmonious community where pupils are inspired to love God, love themselves, and love one another.

We find our strength and motivation through our faith, knowing that: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

Intent

At St Martin’s, Religious Education is central to our vision of nurturing compassionate, thoughtful, and spiritually aware children. As a Church of England school, our RE curriculum reflects our Christian foundation while embracing the rich diversity of faiths and beliefs in our wider community.

We follow the Understanding Christianity resource alongside the Sandwell SACRE Agreed Syllabus to deliver a broad and balanced RE curriculum. This enables pupils to explore the big ideas of Christianity in depth—such as Creation, Incarnation, Salvation, and the Kingdom of God—while also learning about other major world religions and non-religious worldviews.

Our curriculum helps pupils to:

Develop a secure understanding of Christian theology and how it shapes lives and communities.
Explore the beliefs, practices, and values of other faiths including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism.
Reflect on their own beliefs and experiences, ask meaningful questions, and engage in respectful dialogue.
Understand the importance of faith in shaping identity, culture, and moral decision-making.

RE at St Martin’s supports our school vision: that every child belongs, is loved equally, and is celebrated for the unique gifts God has given them. Through our FRESH values, we create a harmonious community where pupils are inspired to love God, love themselves, and love one another.

Implementation

Religious Education is taught weekly across all year groups, following a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds theological understanding and religious literacy over time. We use the Understanding Christianity resource to explore Christian concepts through enquiry-based learning, supported by high-quality texts, artefacts, and discussion.

Alongside this, the Sandwell SACRE Agreed Syllabus ensures pupils gain a broad understanding of world religions and belief systems. Lessons are designed to be inclusive and engaging, using storytelling, drama, art, and reflection to bring learning to life.

Key features of our implementation:

Enquiry-led units that encourage pupils to ask and explore big questions.
Use of key vocabulary and theological concepts to support deep thinking.
Opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development.
Visits to places of worship and engagement with faith communities.
Cross-curricular links with subjects such as history, literacy, and PSHE.
Assessment is formative and ongoing, focusing on pupils’ ability to express ideas, make connections, and reflect thoughtfully. Teachers use pupil voice, written work, and discussion to monitor progress and inform planning.

Impact

The impact of our RE curriculum is seen in the confidence, empathy, and understanding pupils demonstrate when discussing faith and belief.

By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils will:

Have a secure understanding of Christian beliefs and practices.
Show respect and appreciation for diverse faiths and worldviews.
Ask thoughtful questions and express their own views with clarity and compassion.
Make connections between belief, values, and everyday life.

RE at St Martin’s helps pupils grow spiritually, morally, socially, and culturally. It prepares them to live well together in a diverse world and supports their development as reflective, respectful, and responsible individuals.

Year Group Overviews

Whole School LTP Overview

Big Ideas

Religious Education at our school is rooted in the belief that understanding different faiths and worldviews helps pupils make sense of the world and their place within it. Through the Understanding Christianity scheme and The Sandwell Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, we aim to develop pupils’ thinking, values, and sense of identity, while promoting respect, tolerance, and reflection on life’s big questions.

Content

Our curriculum combines the depth of Christian belief and practice with a broad exploration of global religions and philosophies. Pupils gain systematic knowledge of a range of faiths, enabling them to engage meaningfully with diverse perspectives and develop their own informed views. The curriculum also supports Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development and reinforces British Values.

Sequencing

RE is carefully sequenced across year groups to ensure progression and coherence. The Understanding Christianity framework builds pupils’ understanding of Christian concepts over time, while the Sandwell syllabus outlines knowledge and teaching from other faiths. This structured approach ensures high standards of learning and supports all pupils in reaching their full potential.

Oracy and Vocabulary

In Religious Education, oracy and vocabulary play a vital role in helping pupils express their ideas clearly and confidently. Through structured discussions, debates, and reflective conversations, children learn to articulate their thoughts on complex topics such as belief, morality, and identity. We actively teach subject-specific vocabulary to deepen understanding and encourage precise communication. This focus on language empowers pupils to engage respectfully with diverse viewpoints, ask thoughtful questions, and contribute meaningfully to discussions about religion and the wider world.

Assessment

Reasonable Adjustments for pupils with SEND

Learning objectives and opportunities in RE for pupils with SEND are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-related. The learning objectives should be pitched at an appropriate level for each child and should show how pupils might demonstrate what they have experienced and or learned by doing each planned activity. The RE outcomes can be used to review progress and check whether pupils need more support or challenge. They also provide a framework for giving feedback to pupils.

Lessons are designed to be inclusive and flexible, allowing pupils to participate in discussions, activities, and reflections. Our aim is to create a respectful and supportive environment where every child can explore beliefs, share their ideas, and develop a sense of identity and belonging.

Humility