"Growing into all God wants us to be"

Matthew 13: verses 31-32 underpins our vision: The parable of the Mustard Seed.

Meeting the Church of England Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education

The Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement for Religious Education sets out the high-quality RE provision that pupils should expect to receive in a Church school. At Speldhurst, we recognise RE as an important academic subject that enables children to develop a rich understanding of Christianity, explore a range of religious and non-religious worldviews and reflect thoughtfully on their own ideas and experiences.

Our RE curriculum reflects our Christian vision: “Growing into all God wants us to be.” It provides children with opportunities to ask meaningful questions, listen carefully to different perspectives and develop the knowledge and vocabulary needed to discuss beliefs with confidence, curiosity and respect.

To meet the expectations of the Statement of Entitlement, we ensure that:

• RE is taught regularly in every year group, from Reception to Year 6, with sufficient dedicated curriculum time.
• Christianity forms at least 50% of our RE curriculum and is explored as a diverse, global and living faith.
• Pupils study a range of religious and non-religious worldviews, developing an understanding of the diversity that exists both between and within different traditions.
• RE is taught as an academic subject that is distinct from collective worship. Lessons are inclusive and non-confessional, allowing every child to participate fully, regardless of their own beliefs or background.
• Children encounter different ways of exploring religious and non-religious worldviews. They investigate beliefs and sacred texts through theology, consider important questions through philosophy and explore how beliefs are expressed in people’s lives through the human and social sciences.
• Lessons provide safe and supportive spaces in which pupils can ask challenging questions, explore their own developing worldviews and engage respectfully with the views of others.
• Carefully sequenced learning enables children to build their subject knowledge and develop their religious literacy over time.
• Teaching is adapted appropriately so that all pupils, including those with additional needs and disabilities, are supported and challenged to achieve highly in RE.
• Teachers receive appropriate training and resources to strengthen their subject knowledge and support high-quality teaching.
• The RE subject leader regularly monitors teaching, learning and pupil outcomes to identify strengths and areas for further development.​​​​​​​

Through our RE curriculum, we aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, understanding and respect they need to flourish in a diverse, multi-religious and multi-secular society.