ABSTRACT
Starting Out With the National Curriculum provides the overall curriculum context within which RE operates-and deals specifically with RE on pages 6, 25 and 56f. A brief summary of the legal position is followed by a statement of general aims for RE: that pupils ‘should understand the teachings and practices of Christianity and the other world religions’ and ‘be encouraged to develop their own beliefs and values’. While pointing out that syllabuses are devised and agreed locally it identifies various key concepts which have arisen in most syllabuses:
beliefs about God founders of religions sacred texts worship and meditation festivals rites of passage religious beliefs, ethical teachings and the rules of religions
It also cites examples of key attitudes that RE might be seen to encourage:
curiosity self-confidence and esteem respect for the views and ways of life of others open-mindedness
critical ability consideration for others
Religious Education: A local curriculum framework reminds schools to use RE ATs and programmes of study to develop their curriculum plan for RE (p. 15). The plan might include: what should be taught to different year groups; key concepts and skills; how KS2 learning relates to KS1; pupil activities that relate to ATs and content and that provide evidence of attainment; appropriate learning experiences to the age and level of attainment of the child; a variety of teaching and learning methods; links with other subjects and cross-curricular themes.
