At Oakridge School, we aim to engage children in sustained shared thinking about significant human questions which are addressed through different religions and world views. We believe that by supporting children to develop the understanding and skills they need to consider varied responses to these questions, it will enable them to develop their own views and ideas over time. We provide pupils with opportunities to learn about a diverse range of beliefs, and an opportunity to further explore their own, in line with the National Curriculum.

Learning in Religious Education (RE) is intrinsically linked to our Oakridge thread of ‘Culture and Diversity’; It is our intention to ensure that, by the end of their primary education, every pupil has thorough understanding of a range of religions, including knowledge of the similarities and differences that exist between faiths. We want pupils to realise that there are many shared beliefs and common goals that exist between different religions and that people of all faiths can work together to promote peace and unity, and identify common challenges. We believe that the skills we equip children with at this age will enable them to go into the world as curious, independent thinkers who are able to appraise and consider any views they are exposed to. Our ultimate goal is for every pupil to demonstrate tolerance, respect and acceptance of people that possess differing beliefs to themselves, and to inspire them to maintain these attitudes into adulthood. 

We build upon the learning from Early Years, in which children learn about a variety of different religious celebrations, to learning more about Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism in further year groups. RE lessons are active, creative and fun. Units of work are progressive and, each year, pupils revisit and learn more about different faiths. Lessons relating to all of these religions provide children with opportunities to develop the skills they need to question, debate, compare and critically assess different answers to ‘big’ questions.

There are opportunities for children to extend their learning beyond the classroom in visits to local places of worship and through links fostered with a range of faith leaders. Other examples of enrichment activities for RE include the celebration of World Interfaith Harmony week and the organisation of community events that bring people from a range of faiths together to celebrate and share religious customs. 

The curriculum documents that outline Reading at Oakridge School are:

RE Progression Grid

RE Curriculum Content Grid

RE Threads document