Intent 

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As a church school, the drive for excellence and effectiveness is paramount, but not just because of our statutory duty as educators. The enabling of every child to flourish in their potential as a child of God, is at the heart of the church’s distinctive mission. We are committed to using quality resources (Questful RE and Understanding Christianity), that will provide our teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to ensure that the children experience the best RE curriculum.

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Our intent at Emmanuel Holcombe, is to prepare children for citizenship in today’s diverse society. Our aim is to enable our pupils to develop sensitivity to, and respect for others; for pupils to have a tolerance for other religions; and to equip students with the ability to hold an informed conversation about religious beliefs and practices. 

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The Church of England Education Office (2016), issued a RE Statement of Entitlement. It says that in Church schools the expectation is that all pupils are religiously literate and, as a minimum, pupils are able to: 

• Give a theologically informed and thoughtful account of Christianity as a living and diverse faith. 

• Show an informed and respectful attitude to religions and world views in their search for God and meaning. 

• Engage in meaningful and informed dialogue with those of other faiths and none. 

• Reflect critically and responsibly on their own spiritual, philosophical and ethical convictions. 

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Implementation 

The Emmanuel Holcombe curriculum is shaped by the school vision to enable all children, regardless of background, ability or additional needs to flourish and live life to the full. Our RE curriculum has been designed in line with the Diocese and Religious Education syllabus for Church schools, to produce clear skills and knowledge progression.

 

As a Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Emmanuel Holcombe follows the Religious Education syllabus for Church schools and the Manchester Diocese Questful RE Units. It is a revision of ‘Questful RE’ RE syllabus 2013. By embracing the explicit teaching of Christian concepts and God’s big salvation story, the content of this syllabus gives pupils a deeper understanding of Christianity. Through an open investigative enquiry approach the pupils are given the sense of being on a quest of discovery. A key feature of the syllabus is the large number of questions included in each unit. The purpose of these questions is to give pupils opportunity to investigate, reflect, evaluate and make meaning. In doing so they will discover more about themselves, their relationships with others, their relationship with the world around them and their relationship with God. Teachers using this syllabus are encouraged to give pupils as many first-hand sensory experiences as possible.

 

Pupils benefit hugely from seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling authentic Christianity and the other world faiths as they study. 

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In addition to RE lessons, children participate in numerous RE based trips, theme weeks, experience days and workshops during their time at Emmanuel Holcombe. This includes, ‘Experience Easter’ and ‘Experience Christmas’ days, charity events, such as the Shoe Box Appeal; ‘Global Citizenship’, ‘Community Champions’ and ‘Easter’ theme weeks and trips to Darul Uloom school. 

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Furthermore, worship plays a huge role in Religious Education. This involves daily worship, led by church leaders, senior leaders in school and our Faith Ambassador pupils. This is a combination of class and whole school worship. 

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Impact 

Whilst in school, children have access to a rich and varied programme. The impact of teaching, worship and meaningful experiences leads to pupils who:   

• know about Christianity as a living faith that influences the lives of people worldwide and as the religion that has most shaped British culture and heritage. 

• know and understand about other major world religions and world views, their impact on society, culture and the wider world, enabling pupils to express ideas and insights. 

• develop their own spiritual/philosophical convictions, exploring and enriching their own beliefs and values.