As a truly multicultural, multifaith school, we celebrate our diversity and this is reflected in our teaching of RE. RE topics at Limehurst have been selected to extend and deepen students’ knowledge and understanding of a range of religious and non-religious world views.  The teaching of RE enables students to explore what spirituality means for themselves, their community and the wider world. As part of our celebration of culture, we value the links we are developing between our school and local religious leaders and places of worship within our local community.  This is exemplified in our annual Celebration of Culture Day.

Topics studied at KS3 enable students to explore key themes and questions based on the Leicestershire SACRE agreed syllabus:  

Year 7- Introduction to World Religions 

Year 8 – Expressing Religion (Religion in the World, Religion and the Environment) 

Year 9 – Religion and Ethics in the modern world 

RE at KS4 develops students understanding of how religion effects them, their family and also their community. It builds on their Religious Education work in KS3 whilst focusing on topics which are relevant to the students as they develop as young adults. KS4 RE lessons are taught within PD, to facilitate the teaching of meaningful RE life skills as part of students' learning as they develop as young adults. 

Knowledge and understanding: 

• How religious beliefs influence the values and lives of individuals and groups. 
• Build on prior learning and appreciate religions and religious views in systematic ways. 
• Draw on a wide range of subject specific language. 
• Analyse, interpret and evaluate in order to develop their capacity to articulate well-reasoned positions, both verbally and in written work. 

Skills developed: 

• The ability to be respectful of the beliefs of others. Identifying and understanding similarities between religions as well as the differences. 
• To consider challenging questions individually and to discuss as a group.  
• To formulate an opinion and express it, developing oracy skills. 
• Careers skills include oracy, working in pairs and groups, formulating and expressing opinions, selecting from a range of information and presenting.

Link to previous years: 

RE is taught throughout KS2, looking at religious teachings and values and also religion in daily life.   RE at KS3 continues to develop the knowledge and understanding of key topics and ideas from world religions. 

Link to future study/the wider world: 

• As part of our celebration of culture in school and our community, we are developing opportunities for students at KS3 and KS4 to interact with local religious leaders and places of worship.
• Teaching key religious beliefs at KS3 enables students to bring these ideas into their work in KS4 Humanities subjects.  In addition, RE at KS3 and 4 links to a range of KS4 Citizenship topics and PD lessons.
• Skills developed in KS3 and KS4 RE for example, selecting from a range of information, support skills needed in post-16 study. 
• Career skills are built into RE lessons throughout KS3 and 4.  For example formulating and expressing opinions, working in pairs and teams and presenting skills and developing confidence in oracy. 
• RE at KS4 focuses on themes, such as moral questions, developing values and recognising rights and responsibilities. 
• The importance of respecting and understanding the beliefs of all religions and also secular beliefs is core to the intent of teaching RE. 
• Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of the Religious Education in accordance with Schedule 19 to the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.  However, we hope that all parents will feel comfortable with the type of religious education being taught in our school.
• In the first instance, parents who may wish to exercise this right should make an appointment with the senior leader with responsibility for curriculum, who will explore any concerns and discuss any impact that withdrawal may have on the child. 
• We will ensure that parents who want to withdraw their children from RE are aware of the RE syllabus and its relevance to all pupils, and respects their own personal beliefs.
• Parents will be made aware of the learning objectives and what is covered in the RE curriculum and will be given the opportunity to discuss this, if they wish.