Religious Education

Religious Education is at the heart of our school ethos.  We are a Church of England School and achieved an 'Outstanding' inspection grade in 2015 from the Salisbury Diocese. 

Intent

 To build a balanced RE curriculum which develops thinking, questioning and learning and reflects our school’s Christian Vision. We aim to enable pupils to learn about different religions and to develop their own faith, encouraging tolerance and empathy with others. We will provide opportunities for spiritual reflection on the ultimate questions of life in order to give pupils the moral strength and spiritual depth which will prepare them for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences in later life.

Implementation

We follow the 2014 National Curriculum and our expectation is that all children are showing progress in line with national expectations. It is the responsibility of each class teacher to monitor and ensure that this progress is made. The subject leader works with each teacher to monitor this progress and to ensure that sufficient challenge is given to each child.

We use Understanding Christianity and Discovery R.E. for our schemes of work.  We also use the Wiltshire Agreed Syllabus as a reference to support our R.E. teaching.

Impact

Teachers measure the impact of the curriculum through formative and summative assessment. From this assessment teachers will adapt and change their planning according to the needs of all of the children. Subject leaders will also measure the impact of the curriculum through learning walks, pupil voice and teacher surveys. Individual pupil data, in accordance with objectives within the National Curriculum, is collected and analysed three times a year. This data is recorded on the school’s electronic data base (INSIGHT) to monitor attainment and progress.

Collective Worship

Collective Worship at The New Forest School is central to our school ethos and values (see home page of website).

Teachers, pupils and visitors lead a Collective Worship everyday in our school halls or in our classes. The children are actively involved in their worship and we use some of the Church of England liturgy in our worship and services. Older children work on the 'Lighting the candle' spirituality course and our younger children enjoy the 'Open the Book' storytelling sessions which follow a three-year rolling programme of stories from the Old Testament.

Pupils are able to voice their thoughts through an annual Collective Worship Pupil Survey, which is analysed by the subject leader and ideas implemented through the Action Plan.

We have strong links with our local vicar, who leads regular Collective Worship sessions based on our three-year rolling programme of values. We also have regular visits from Testwood Baptist Church and Southampton City Mission. 

We use the Values for Life scheme as our core planning tool. Each site has a spiritual garden and all KS2 pupils have a Reflection Diary, which is a private place where they can record their thoughts. We have Y6 Spiritual Prefects who help plan worship and take an active role in leading the spirituality of the school. They help plan and prepare some of the interactive Reflection displays in the school corridor.

Our Christmas and Easter services take place at our local churches. The choir and many of our children attend the Parish Christingle service in December.

We celebrate as a whole-school community, inviting parents and governors to our Harvest Festival and End of Year Celebration Service in the local village hall.

Here are Y5 and 6 leading our Pentecost Service at St.Peter's Church Bramshaw:

Useful links can be found here.

Salisbury Diocese                                    SIAS Inspection report 2015