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Religious Education

At North Lakes School, a maintained Junior School in Penrith, we are proud to offer a Religious Education (RE) curriculum that reflects our vision of “a caring school community, where everyone can grow, learn and adapt for the future to achieve personal success.” Our RE syllabus is designed to nurture respect, understanding, and curiosity about different faiths and worldviews, supporting pupils’ personal development and academic growth in line with the Westmorland & Furness Agreed Syllabus.

Our Approach to Religious Education

Religious Education at North Lakes School plays a vital role in developing pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural awareness. It encourages children to explore fundamental questions about life, beliefs, and values, helping them to appreciate diversity within our community and beyond.

  • Curriculum Focus: We teach Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism, reflecting the principal religions represented in the UK, alongside respectful consideration of non-religious worldviews.
  • Legal Framework: RE is taught in accordance with statutory requirements and the Westmorland & Furness Agreed Syllabus, ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum.
  • Inclusivity: We celebrate the diverse religious and cultural backgrounds of our pupils and work closely with local faith and non-religious community members to enrich learning experiences.
Intent

Our RE curriculum intends to:

  • Develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other major religions in the UK.
  • Explore how religious and non-religious world views influence individuals and communities locally, nationally, and globally.
  • Encourage pupils to make thoughtful, informed judgements about religious and moral issues.
  • Enhance pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development through reflection and discussion.
  • Foster respect for different beliefs and promote harmony within our diverse society.

This aligns closely with our school values of learning together, valuing all, and enjoying and achieving through shared understanding.

Implementation

  • Time Allocation: Pupils receive a minimum of 45 hours of RE teaching each year at Key Stage 2, ensuring consistent and meaningful engagement with the subject.

  • Teaching Methods: Our lessons are dynamic and interactive, incorporating art, drama, discussion, ICT, visits, and visitors to bring learning to life.
  • Resources: We maintain a rich collection of books, artefacts, DVDs, and visual materials stored in our dedicated RE cupboard, continually updated to support high-quality teaching.
  • Visits and Community Links: Pupils have opportunities to visit local places of worship such as St Andrew’s Church, Christ Church, Carlisle Cathedral, a Hindu Temple, and a Muslim Mosque. Faith leaders and community members also visit the school to share their experiences and knowledge.
  • Differentiation: We tailor learning to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs or deep personal experience of a faith, ensuring every child can engage meaningfully with RE.
Impact
  • We regularly assess pupils’ progress in RE and provide detailed, individual feedback in annual reports to parents.
  • The RE subject leader coordinates a portfolio of pupils’ work to exemplify attainment and support teacher judgements.
  • Ongoing monitoring and evaluation ensure the curriculum remains responsive and effective, with regular updates informed by staff self-evaluation and OFSTED guidance.
  • Transition arrangements include sharing pupils’ RE achievements and topics covered to support smooth progression to secondary education.
Supporting Our School Community

We recognise and respect the right of parents to withdraw their children from RE lessons if they wish. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss this, please contact the headteacher. Our aim is always to provide an open, inclusive curriculum taught by committed staff.

Our RE curriculum is coordinated by Laura Clark, who leads staff training and liaises with local networks to keep our provision current and engaging.

Summary

Religious Education at North Lakes School is a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering a caring, respectful, and inclusive community. Through a curriculum that is rich in knowledge, experience, and reflection, we support pupils to grow in understanding and empathy, preparing them for life in a diverse society and helping them achieve personal success.