Religious Education (RE)

Religious Education at Lapage

Exploring, Questioning and Understanding Beliefs and Worldviews

At Lapage, we want every child to develop curiosity about the beliefs, values and traditions that shape people’s lives. We encourage pupils to ask thoughtful questions, consider different viewpoints and reflect on questions that matter to themselves and others.

Religious Education enables children to explore a range of religions and worldviews, developing their understanding of beliefs, teachings, practices and ways of life. Through enquiry, discussion and reflection, pupils investigate questions of meaning, purpose, identity, belonging and values. They learn to interpret sources of wisdom, make connections between ideas and consider how beliefs influence individuals, communities and society.

Our curriculum follows the Bradford Agreed Syllabus, Believing and Belonging in West Yorkshire (2024–2029), building knowledge and skills progressively from Nursery to Year 6. Pupils develop their ability to explain, interpret and evaluate different perspectives, recognising both diversity and shared ideas within and between religions and worldviews.

We want our children to leave Lapage as knowledgeable, reflective and respectful individuals who can think critically, express their views thoughtfully and appreciate the diversity of beliefs and experiences in their local community and the wider world.

Our Vision for Religious Education

Our vision is for every child to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage thoughtfully with religions and worldviews. We aim to nurture independent thinkers who can explore challenging questions, consider different perspectives and reflect on their own values and experiences.

We aim for children to:

  • Develop secure knowledge of a range of religions and worldviews.
  • Explore religious teachings, practices and sources of wisdom, considering their significance.
  • Ask meaningful questions about belief, truth, meaning, purpose and belonging.
  • Make connections between beliefs, values and ways of life.
  • Identify and explain similarities and differences within and between religions and worldviews.
  • Interpret, analyse and evaluate different religious and non-religious perspectives.
  • Reflect on their own ideas and experiences while considering alternative viewpoints.
  • Communicate their understanding clearly using appropriate subject-specific vocabulary.
  • Demonstrate respect for people with different beliefs, values and worldviews.
  • Recognise the influence of religion and belief on individuals, communities and wider society.

What Will Children Learn?

Early Years – Nursery and Reception

In the Early Years, children begin to develop their understanding of religion and worldviews through stories, celebrations, family experiences, play and discussion. They encounter different beliefs, traditions and ways of life, developing curiosity about themselves, others and the world around them.

Children begin to explore:

  • Special people, places and objects.
  • Religious and non-religious celebrations and festivals.
  • Stories that communicate beliefs and values.
  • Belonging to families and communities.
  • Similarities and differences between people and their experiences.
  • Questions about what matters to themselves and others.

Through stories, conversation and exploration, children begin to ask questions, share their experiences and recognise that people may have different beliefs, traditions and ways of life.

Key Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2

Children begin to develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews through structured enquiry. They explore beliefs, practices, stories and traditions, considering what these mean to individuals and communities.

Children explore:

  • Key beliefs and teachings within Christianity and other religions and worldviews.
  • Religious stories and sources of wisdom.
  • Worship, prayer and religious practices.
  • Festivals, celebrations and special occasions.
  • Places of worship and objects of significance.
  • Belonging, identity, kindness and caring for others.

Children learn to ask questions, describe beliefs and practices, identify similarities and differences, and communicate their own ideas about what they have learnt.

Lower Key Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4

Children build on their existing knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of religions and worldviews. They explore how beliefs are expressed through teachings, practices, traditions and the choices people make in everyday life.

Children explore:

  • The beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity and other religions and worldviews.
  • The significance of sacred texts and other sources of wisdom.
  • The meaning and importance of worship, prayer and religious festivals.
  • How beliefs influence values, behaviour and relationships.
  • Questions about meaning, purpose, belonging and community.
  • Similarities and differences within and between religions and worldviews.

Children develop their ability to explain beliefs, interpret sources of wisdom, make connections between ideas and consider different viewpoints. They begin to support their responses with reasons and evidence.

Upper Key Stage 2 – Years 5 and 6

Children deepen and extend their understanding of religions and worldviews, engaging with more complex questions about belief, truth, meaning, morality, identity and diversity. They consider how religious and non-religious perspectives influence individuals, communities and wider society.

Children explore:

  • The diversity of beliefs and practices within and between religions and worldviews.
  • How religious teachings and sources of wisdom are interpreted.
  • How beliefs influence moral decisions, values and actions.
  • The relationship between religion, identity, community and belonging.
  • The contribution of religion and worldviews to society, culture and contemporary issues.

Children increasingly work independently, interpreting information, explaining connections, comparing perspectives and evaluating different responses to challenging questions. They learn to express reasoned conclusions, reflect on their own views and engage respectfully with beliefs and opinions that differ from their own.

 

Religious Education in Action at Lapage

Religious Education at Lapage is about more than learning facts about religions. Children learn by exploring, questioning, discussing and reflecting on beliefs, values and worldviews.

You might see our children:

  • Exploring religious stories and considering the messages and meanings they convey.
  • Investigating how and why people celebrate religious festivals.
  • Learning about places of worship and their significance to different communities.
  • Exploring sacred texts and other sources of wisdom.
  • Comparing beliefs, traditions and practices within and between religions and worldviews.
  • Discussing questions about belonging, identity, meaning and purpose.
  • Considering how beliefs influence people's choices, values and actions.
  • Reflecting on different responses to moral and ethical questions.
  • Sharing their own ideas, listening to others and giving reasons for their viewpoints.
  • Making connections between religious beliefs, everyday life and the wider world.

Where possible, we draw on our local Bradford community and the rich diversity of beliefs and worldviews around us to provide meaningful opportunities for children to deepen their understanding, encounter different perspectives and appreciate the importance of religion and belief in people's lives.

 

Enrichment and Wider Opportunities

We believe that Religious Education should inspire children to look beyond the classroom and develop a deeper understanding of the diverse beliefs, values and worldviews within our society.

Throughout their time at Lapage, children have opportunities to:

  • Explore religious festivals, celebrations and traditions through meaningful activities and experiences.
  • Visit places of worship and learn about their significance to different faith communities.
  • Welcome visitors from different religious and non-religious backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives.
  • Explore the rich diversity of beliefs and worldviews within our local Bradford community.
  • Engage in storytelling, discussion, debate and creative activities that bring religious beliefs and practices to life.
  • Investigate meaningful questions about identity, belonging, morality and the world around them.
  • Make connections between classroom learning, their own experiences and the beliefs and values of others.

We want children to recognise that Religious Education extends beyond the classroom. It helps them understand themselves and others, appreciate diversity and develop the knowledge, empathy and respect needed to contribute positively to their local community and the wider world.

 

Supporting Religious Education at Home

You do not need to be an expert in religion to explore beliefs, values and worldviews together. Everyday conversations and shared experiences can help children develop curiosity, understanding and respect for others.

Encourage your child to:

  • Ask questions about beliefs, values, traditions and what matters to people.
  • Talk about family traditions, celebrations and special occasions.
  • Explore religious festivals such as Christmas, Easter, Diwali and Eid, discussing their meaning and significance.
  • Read stories from different religions and worldviews and talk about the messages they convey.
  • Visit places of worship, museums and cultural events to discover more about different beliefs and traditions.
  • Notice and discuss the diversity of beliefs, cultures and communities in Bradford and beyond.
  • Share what they have learnt in R.E. and explain their ideas, thoughts and questions.
  • Listen to different viewpoints and consider why people may believe or think differently.

Most importantly, encourage curiosity and open-mindedness. There is often more than one perspective to consider and many meaningful questions to explore. By talking together, listening respectfully and learning about others, you can help your child develop the knowledge, understanding and empathy to navigate an increasingly diverse world.

 

Useful Websites for Religious Education

Progression-of-Knowledge-and-Skills-RE-updated-March-2026lap.pdf

 

 

 

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