RE

At Beaconside Primary and Nursery School, Religious Education (RE) is a vital part of our curriculum because it contributes significantly to the intellectual, personal, spiritual, and moral development of our pupils. We have adopted the Jigsaw RE programme, which fully meets the requirements of our locally agreed syllabus and aligns with non-statutory national guidance, ensuring compliance with the National Curriculum’s expectations for RE. This curriculum is enquiry-based, starting from pupils’ own life experiences before moving into deeper learning about and from religion. This approach ensures that pupils engage meaningfully with complex questions about life’s purpose, beliefs, ethics, and community, which are essential for their holistic development.

The curriculum is carefully designed to be accessible and inclusive for all pupils, including those within our mainstream autism base, by providing structured, clear, and progressive learning that respects diverse needs. Jigsaw RE’s emphasis on enquiry, reflection, and personal response supports cognitive and emotional engagement.

This curriculum is aspirational in that it encourages pupils not only to acquire knowledge of Christianity and other principal religions but also to develop critical thinking, empathy, and respect for cultural and religious diversity. It fosters virtues such as respect, empathy, generosity, and compassion, which are crucial for pupils to thrive in our diverse society and to become responsible citizens. It also supports spiritual development and a sense of awe and wonder, nurturing pupils’ own beliefs and values in a safe and stimulating environment.

The RE curriculum helps us to ensure pupils build on prior knowledge and develop a broad understanding of religion and worldviews, which equips them to navigate and contribute positively to the modern world.

Whole School Aims

The RE curriculum at Beaconside directly supports and reflects the school’s vision and values:
It promotes a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment where all pupils, regardless of background or need, are respected and learn to respect others.
Through enquiry and reflection, RE develops the knowledge and skills pupils need to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world, nurturing their self-motivation, critical thinking, and independence.
The curriculum fosters a community founded on excellent behaviour, tolerance, and fun, encouraging pupils to appreciate cultural and religious diversity and to develop respect and empathy.
RE contributes to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development, supporting the school’s commitment to fundamental British values and preparing pupils to be valued citizens.
It nurtures pupils’ understanding of their rights and responsibilities within their communities and the wider world, aligning with the school’s aim to encourage a concern for the environment and society.
Subject Vision

Beaconside Primary and Nursery School teaches RE to inspire pupils to explore and understand the rich tapestry of religious and non-religious worldviews that shape individuals and societies. The intent of our RE curriculum is to:
Provide pupils with a deep and broad knowledge of Christianity and other principal religions, as well as non-religious perspectives, through an enquiry-based approach that starts with pupils’ own experiences.
Enable pupils to think critically and reflectively about challenging questions related to meaning, purpose, ethics, and belief, fostering their spiritual and personal development.
Develop pupils’ respect for diversity and challenge prejudice by promoting empathy, generosity, and compassion.
Support pupils in building a strong sense of identity and belonging, helping them to flourish within their local community and as global citizens.
Align with the school’s improvement priorities by supporting pupils’ well-being and confidence, reducing anxiety related to learning, and encouraging effective communication and reflection.
Prepare pupils to engage thoughtfully and respectfully with the world, supporting their personal character development and social responsibility.