Intent

At our school, Religious Education aims to develop thoughtful, open-minded pupils who are equipped to understand and engage with the diverse religious and non-religious worldviews that shape modern Britain and beyond. Our curriculum reflects the ethos, vision, and values of our school by promoting respect, curiosity, and critical thinking around questions of identity, belief, and belonging.

Using Kapow Primary’s Religion and Worldviews scheme alongside the Rotherham Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2022), our curriculum supports children to:

• Develop deep knowledge and understanding of Christianity as the major religion in Great Britain, as well as other principal religions and worldviews represented nationally and locally.
• Explore key concepts and ‘big questions’ about meaning, purpose, truth, and morality through a progressive, connected approach that revisits and builds on prior learning.
• Appreciate and respect religious and non-religious beliefs different from their own, fostering sensitivity and empathy.
• Develop their own sense of identity, values, and beliefs through engaging, meaningful learning experiences.
• Experience a sense of awe and wonder about the world, encouraging spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.
• Understand the impact of religion and worldviews on individuals, communities, and societies locally, nationally, and globally.

Our RE curriculum is designed to meet government guidance which requires that RE reflect the Christian traditions predominant in Great Britain, while also taking into account the teachings and practices of other major religions and worldviews. In Early Years Foundation Stage, learning aligns with the ‘Understanding the World’ area of development, laying foundational knowledge and skills to be developed in Key Stages 1 and 2.

The curriculum promotes religious literacy through three key domains:

1. Knowing about and understanding religions and worldviews – enabling pupils to describe, explain, and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising diversity within and between communities.
2. Expressing ideas and insights – encouraging pupils to reflect thoughtfully and critically on religious concepts, personal beliefs, and their significance.
3. Gaining and deploying skills – supporting enquiry into key questions of belonging, meaning, purpose, and truth, fostering respectful dialogue and articulation of values.

Through a range of engaging activities, including discussion, enquiry, creative expression, and investigation, pupils learn to be reasonable and respectful in their responses to religion and worldviews. Our curriculum supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development and prepares them to live well in a diverse and complex society.

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Implementation

At Maltby Manor, the implementation of our Religious Education curriculum ensures that the intent of learning is translated into a progressive and effective programme across all year groups. Using Kapow Primary alongside the Rotherham SACRE syllabus, we provide a comprehensive framework that supports continuity and progression throughout the school.

Our curriculum aligns with the Ofsted Research Review on Religious Education (May 2021) by embedding three key strands throughout all units:

• Substantive knowledge: building pupils’ understanding of religious concepts and worldviews.
• Disciplinary knowledge: developing enquiry skills and ways of investigating beliefs.
• Personal knowledge: encouraging pupils to reflect on their own views and positionality.

These interconnected strands ensure that pupils at Maltby Manor develop a deep and balanced understanding of religion and worldviews. Kapow’s spiral curriculum model allows pupils to revisit key concepts, progressively deepening their knowledge and skills over time, supported by clear progression pathways that complement Rotherham SACRE’s expectations.

In EYFS, children begin by exploring the beliefs and celebrations within their own families and communities through stories, play, and discussion, meeting Early Learning Goals related to understanding the world. In Key Stage 1, pupils study a focused range of religions and worldviews prominent in the UK, including Christianity, laying a foundation for the wider and more diverse studies encountered in Key Stage 2.

Alongside the core scheme, optional Christmas and Easter lesson collections provide additional progressive learning experiences that build upon prior knowledge, enhancing pupils’ understanding of key religious festivals.

Each unit is framed by overarching ‘big questions’ — such as Why are we here? and How can we live together in harmony despite different worldviews? — which are revisited throughout the key stages to encourage reflection and critical thinking. Focused enquiry questions within each unit help pupils explore, compare, and connect different beliefs, while developing their own personal insights.

Lessons are designed to be engaging and hands-on, with varied activities that allow pupils to express their learning creatively and thoughtfully. Differentiation guidance ensures all pupils, including those with additional needs, can access the curriculum, while extension activities challenge more able learners. Knowledge organisers support pupils’ conceptual understanding by summarising key concepts and examples.

At Maltby Manor, we recognise the importance of strong subject knowledge for teachers to confidently deliver high-quality RE lessons. The Kapow scheme, supported by Rotherham SACRE guidance, includes targeted teacher support and CPD to build confidence and expertise, ensuring sensitive and respectful handling of potentially challenging or controversial topics.

Our curriculum places great emphasis on representing the diversity of religions and worldviews through real-life experiences and voices, helping pupils to appreciate the richness of beliefs in our local community and beyond.

 

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impact

At Maltby Manor, the impact of our Religious Education curriculum is continuously monitored through a combination of formative and summative assessments. Each lesson includes clear guidance for teachers to assess pupils’ progress against learning objectives, while unit quizzes and knowledge catchers provide summative insights into pupils’ understanding and knowledge retention.

Following the implementation of the Kapow Primary Religion and Worldviews curriculum alongside the Rotherham SACRE framework, pupils will develop strong disciplinary skills and conceptual knowledge, preparing them for success in secondary education and life in modern Britain. They will engage respectfully and confidently with diverse religious and non-religious perspectives, becoming curious, thoughtful learners who explore personal worldviews and respond meaningfully to philosophical and ethical questions.

Expected outcomes for Maltby Manor pupils include:

• Achieving relevant Early Learning Goals by the end of EYFS, and meeting Key Stage 1 and 2 requirements as outlined in the Curriculum Framework for Religious Education in England.
• Demonstrating a clear understanding of religious concepts related to beliefs, practices, community, belonging, wisdom, and guidance.
• Appreciating the influence of both organised and personal worldviews on individuals, communities, and wider society.
• Gaining disciplinary knowledge through studying religions and worldviews with enquiry and critical thinking.
• Reflecting on their own assumptions and preconceptions, developing personal knowledge and self-awareness.
• Using secure vocabulary to articulate their learning confidently and fluently.
• Engaging in enquiry-based learning by investigating, interpreting, evaluating, and expressing ideas about worldviews.
• Showing respect and open-mindedness when discussing similarities and differences between beliefs.
• Recognising the diversity of lived experiences within and between religious and non-religious communities.
• Understanding how personal and organised worldviews can evolve over time and in different contexts.

Through this curriculum, Maltby Manor pupils will be well-equipped to navigate a diverse world with respect, curiosity, and understanding.