RE
Intent
At Stokes Wood Primary, our RE curriculum enables pupils to become curious, respectful and ambitious thinkers who explore beliefs, values and traditions within a diverse society. In line with the Leicester City Council Agreed Syllabus, RE encourages pupils to develop religious literacy by learning about religions and worldviews and learning from them, promoting understanding, empathy and reflection. As a diverse school that celebrates all religions and cultures, we want pupils to appreciate the richness of beliefs represented locally and globally. Our curriculum builds depth of understanding over time, helping children make connections across faiths and reflect on their own experiences, choices and identity. Oracy is central: pupils are encouraged to question, discuss and articulate their ideas confidently using accurate vocabulary. RE at Stokes Wood helps children grow into thoughtful, open-minded young citizens who value difference and seek to understand the world around them.
Implementation
RE is rooted in the Leicester City Council Agreed Syllabus (2024 - 2029), which structures learning around key questions, enquiry, reflection and comparison. Pupils study the principal religions represented in the UK: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism as well as non-religious worldviews, ensuring representation that reflects our school community. Lessons follow a research-based pedagogy informed by Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction: prior understanding is revisited regularly; new ideas are introduced in small steps, teaching models thinking and vocabulary; and guided discussion allows pupils to clarify and deepen understanding. Oracy is embedded through partner talk, respectful dialogue, reasoning and reflective conversations.
Learning is enriched with visits and visitors where appropriate, celebrations of festivals across faiths and opportunities to explore artefacts, stories and rituals. Our school ethos and assemblies further promote respect, inclusion and cultural celebration. Pupils are encouraged to make connections across religions, apply ideas to their own lives and recognise the impact of belief on daily life, community and identity.
Impact
By the end of primary school, pupils can describe and compare key beliefs, practices and values from a range of religions and worldviews. They talk confidently and respectfully about similarities and differences, showing both knowledge and empathy. Those working well in RE are curious, reflective and articulate thinkers who ask thoughtful questions, use religious vocabulary accurately and express their own views while respecting others. They demonstrate depth of understanding in discussions and written reflections and show awareness of how beliefs influence choices, relationships and communities. Pupils leave Stokes Wood with the ability to grow as respectful, informed individuals who appreciate diversity and contribute positively to the multicultural world in which they live.