Religious Education (RE)
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
At Cavendish Church of England Primary School, Religious Education is a core curriculum entitlement for all pupils and lies at the heart of our Christian vision and values. Through RE, we seek to nurture pupils spiritually, morally, socially and culturally, enabling them to flourish as reflective, compassionate and respectful individuals within a diverse society.
Our Religious Education curriculum follows the Suffolk Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2023–2028), Where do I stand?. This statutory framework supports pupils in developing religious literacy by exploring beliefs, practices and ways of life from a range of religious and non-religious worldviews. It encourages pupils to engage thoughtfully with big questions of meaning, purpose and identity, while learning to live well together with respect and understanding.
As a Church of England school, our RE curriculum reflects the Church of England’s vision for education, enabling pupils to grow in wisdom, develop hope, live well in community and recognise the dignity of every person. These values are woven throughout RE teaching and learning, supporting pupils to reflect on their own beliefs and values while appreciating those of others.
We deliver the syllabus through the Emmanuel Project scheme of work, as recommended by the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. This enquiry-based approach supports pupils to explore religion and belief through three key disciplines: theology (beliefs and sources), human and social science (lived experience and practice), and philosophy (thinking deeply about questions of meaning). This ensures pupils learn both about religion and from religion in balanced and meaningful ways.
Religious Education is carefully sequenced from Reception to Year 6 and is organised to support progression across mixed-age classes where appropriate. Christianity is studied in every year group, reflecting the school’s foundation and the place of Christianity in British life, alongside the study of other major world religions and worldviews. This enables pupils to develop secure knowledge while appreciating diversity within and between faiths.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children explore RE through stories, celebrations and experiences that develop a sense of wonder, belonging and reflection. In Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils deepen their understanding of beliefs, practices, sacred texts and festivals, and are encouraged to make connections between faith, values and everyday life.
Teaching is supported by high-quality planning and resources, including religious texts, artefacts, discussion, creative activities and opportunities for reflection. Key vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited. Pupil understanding and progression are monitored through discussion, written and reflective outcomes and pupil voice, informing future teaching and ensuring all pupils achieve well.
Religious Education at Cavendish also supports our wider Christian life through close links with collective worship and our local church community, providing opportunities for spiritual growth, prayer and reflection.
As a result of our RE curriculum, pupils leave Cavendish with a secure foundation in religious literacy. They can explain beliefs and practices, engage respectfully with differing viewpoints, reflect thoughtfully on their own values and beliefs, and grow in wisdom, hope and compassion — living out our school vision with pure hearts and steadfast spirits.