RE
Meet the Team
Miss Smithson Mrs Golbourn
Leading RE at White Court is a deeply rewarding role that allows us to help children explore life’s big questions, develop empathy, and appreciate the diversity of beliefs and values in our world. We love RE because it encourages curiosity, reflection, and respect — skills that go far beyond the classroom. Through engaging lessons, celebrations of faith and culture, and meaningful discussions, we get to see pupils grow in their understanding of themselves and others. As RE Leads, we're passionate about creating a curriculum that inspires wonder and open-mindedness, helping every child see the beauty in difference and the shared values that unite us all.
What we are teaching in RE
At White Court Primary School, we strive to empower our pupils with the knowledge and insight to embrace and celebrate diversity, both within their own communities and across the wider world. We deliver an engaging, broad and balanced Religious Education Curriculum which is accessible to all pupils. Our children are provided with rich opportunities to learn about and from a range of religions and non religious organisations. Through high quality R.E. teaching, we promote respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs and encourage pupils to ask questions and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. By developing their understanding and appreciation of different religious and cultural beliefs and practices in the local, national and wider global community, our pupils will become inquisitive, responsible and respectful members of the diverse society and world in which they will live.
How we teach RE
At White Court we follow 'Essex Sacre', the Essex agreed syllabus for Religious Education. Where the following religions have been selected for study:
- Christianity
- Hinduism
- Judaism
- Islam
- Buddhism
- Humanism (KS2)
Planning
We follow the Essex SACRE scheme of Work.
Planning includes the following information:
- Lessons are carefully planned to support all learners
- Links to the children’s own beliefs and experiences
- Safe opportunities to share their thoughts and feelings
- Learning objectives and required outcomes of the lesson
- Review of learning - Reflection (could be at the beginning, part way through or at the end of lesson)
- Key words/ phrases/ ideas to specifically teach.
Teaching and learning
Children have opportunities to generate ideas and reflect on their own experiences and beliefs with their peers, accessing a range of learning styles. They explore theological, philosophical and human and social science questioning and are encouraged to consider their own beliefs and those of others.
Children are given opportunities to work in a variety of grouping; individual, mixed ability pairings, similar ability pairings, small groups, whole class.
Marking and feedback
In the moment marking is used, with verbal feedback identified at the point of support.
White Court School Marking Policy is followed.
Children in FS and both Key Stages are given the opportunity to reflect on their work, identifying what they have learnt and how it relates to their previous knowledge and their own beliefs.
Assessment
Self and peer assessment is used regularly in all year groups (sometimes verbal).
Formative assessments are ongoing and teachers ensure they address any misconceptions for cohort/class/group/individual gaps.
Learning Environment
Children are allowed to reflect on and share their ideas and beliefs (Both religious and non religious) in a safe, understanding and inclusive environment.
Include Key vocabulary to support children.
Children are aware of and have access to a variety of resources that will help them.
RE Scheme of Work
What the children have learnt
We are proud that our children say that they enjoy their RE lessons and feel a sense of fascination in learning about themselves, others and the wider world. They are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world. They are engaged and enthusiastic in their lessons and feel happy and safe to ask questions and comment on their own beliefs and those of others.
Our Religious Education curriculum offers children opportunities to understand what other people believe, how they choose to live and why they choose to live in that way, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become tolerant and empathetic members of our diverse and ever changing world.
We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
- Summative assessment of pupil discussions about their learning.
- Images and videos of the children’s practical learning.
- Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
- Learning walks.
- Marking of written work in books.