RE

At Overdale Junior School, our Religious Education curriculum is designed to foster deep thinking, respectful dialogue, and a meaningful understanding of the diverse beliefs that shape our world. We provide a broad and balanced RE programme that encourages children to:

 

Make sense of religious and non-religious beliefs, exploring key concepts, teachings, and practices. Make connections between beliefs, values, and traditions, recognising both similarities and differences across faiths.

Understand the impact of beliefs on individuals, communities, and cultures, and reflect on how these influence daily life and moral choices.

 

We are proud to welcome pupils from a wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds. Our curriculum celebrates this diversity by creating a safe and inclusive space where children can express their own beliefs, listen to others, and learn from one another. This approach helps pupils grow into empathetic, accepting, and understanding individuals.

 

Through RE, we actively promote the core values of:

 

·        Respect – for different viewpoints, traditions, and ways of life.

·        Resilience – in exploring complex ideas and engaging in thoughtful reflection.

·        Responsibility – in forming considered opinions and contributing positively to discussions.

Our aim is for every child at Overdale Junior School to leave KS2 with a well-rounded understanding of religion and belief, equipped with the knowledge, values, and skills to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.Children have an RE lesson every week.

Please note: with regard to religious education, parents and carers should be aware they have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of RE. Please contact the school office for further information.

Our RE lead is Mr Mann.

Please see below some of the Knowledge Organisers which outline the core knowledge children will be taught and expected to learn. Other Knowledge Organisers to follow.

Further information on the curriculum content, rationale, intent and progression to follow – please check back soon.

At Overdale Junior School, Religious Education is delivered through a carefully structured and inclusive programme that supports children in developing a deep and respectful understanding of beliefs and values. Our curriculum is designed around three key strands: making sense of beliefs, making connections between beliefs, and understanding the impact of beliefs on people’s lives.

 

RE is implemented through:

·        Weekly lessons that follow a progressive and enquiry-based approach, encouraging pupils to explore religious and non-religious worldviews with curiosity and respect.

·        Planned opportunities for discussion, where children use talk partners, group work, and whole-class dialogue to share ideas, ask questions, and reflect on their learning.

·        The use of relevant resources and religious artefacts, which bring learning to life and help pupils engage with beliefs in tangible and meaningful ways.

·        Annual visits to places of worship, with each year group experiencing a different faith setting. These visits promote cultural awareness, deepen understanding, and foster empathy and acceptance.

·        Structured sentence stems to support pupils in articulating their thoughts clearly and confidently, building resilience in their reasoning and communication.

·        Classroom environments rich in subject-specific vocabulary, supported by Knowledge Organisers that children use to reinforce key concepts, terms, and ideas throughout their learning journey.

This approach ensures that Religious Education at Overdale Junior School is not only academically rigorous but also values-driven—empowering pupils to think critically, engage respectfully, and take responsibility for their role in a diverse and interconnected world.