At Newlands, Religious Education aims to develop pupils’ understanding of different religions and worldviews while encouraging respect, curiosity and thoughtful reflection. Our curriculum is guided by the Living Difference IV RE syllabus, developed by the Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service (HIAS).

Through the teaching of RE at Newlands, we aim for pupils to:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, including their beliefs, practices and traditions.
• Explore important concepts such as belonging, authority, celebration, community and faith.
• Ask questions and investigate ideas, encouraging curiosity and deeper thinking about religion and belief.
• Reflect on their own ideas and experiences while considering the perspectives of others.
• Develop respect, tolerance and understanding for people with different beliefs, cultures and values.
• Build skills in discussion, enquiry and reflection, enabling pupils to express their ideas clearly and thoughtfully.
• Recognise the role that religion and belief play in people’s lives and in society.

Through these aims, we support pupils in becoming thoughtful, respectful and informed members of a diverse society.

How we deliver our curriculum

At Newlands, Religious Education is taught using the Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service (HIAS) RE curriculum, which is based on the Living Difference IV RE syllabus. This approach encourages pupils to explore religious and non-religious worldviews through enquiry, reflection and discussion.

Our RE curriculum is delivered through carefully planned units that allow pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of different beliefs, practices and values. Lessons focus on key concepts within religions and worldviews, helping pupils make connections between ideas and their own experiences.

Teaching follows the Living Difference enquiry cycle, which includes:

• Communicate – introducing pupils to a concept through stories, artefacts, images or discussion.
• Apply – exploring how the concept is expressed within different religions or worldviews.
• Enquire – encouraging pupils to ask questions and investigate beliefs and practices.
• Contextualise – learning about how the concept is lived out by believers in real contexts.
• Evaluate – reflecting on the concept and considering its meaning for themselves and others.

Through this process, pupils develop skills in critical thinking, reflection, respectful discussion and understanding diversity. Our curriculum includes the study of a range of religions and worldviews to help pupils develop respect and understanding of different beliefs within our community and the wider world.

How we support everyone to learn

At Newlands, we believe that all pupils should be able to access and engage with Religious Education.

Teachers adapt learning to meet the needs of all pupils by:

• Using a variety of teaching approaches, including discussion, storytelling, drama, art and practical activities.
• Providing visual resources and artefacts to support understanding of religious concepts.
• Pre-teaching and revisiting key vocabulary to support language development.
• Using questioning and discussion to allow pupils to express their own ideas and reflections.
• Providing scaffolds and support materials such as sentence starters, word banks and structured tasks.
• Offering challenge for pupils who are ready to deepen their thinking, encouraging them to explore different viewpoints and justify their ideas.

Teachers ensure that pupils with additional needs are supported through appropriate differentiation and, where necessary, adult support so that all children can participate in discussions and develop their understanding.

Through these approaches, we aim to create an inclusive and respectful learning environment where every pupil feels confident to share ideas and explore different beliefs and values.