RE
Subject leader: Miss Stephens
Contact email: pennowethks1@croftymat.org
Our Religious Education Curriculum Intent
‘The principal aim of religious education is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.’
— Cornwall Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, 2025 —
At Pennoweth, our RE curriculum follows the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus (2025) and aims to inspire, challenge, and support children in exploring different beliefs, values, and traditions. It helps them develop a deeper understanding of world religions and how RE promotes respect and prepares them for life beyond school.
RE is taught weekly in every class. Key knowledge, skills, and vocabulary are carefully mapped to ensure progression. Teachers assess each child’s starting point at the beginning of a unit and plan lessons that are inclusive, developmental, and offer opportunities for deeper thinking.
Where appropriate, RE is linked to other subjects—especially English—to enrich learning and make meaningful cross-curricular connections.
DNA
At Pennoweth, the culture of our DNA also aids and supports the teaching of R.E. Weekly timetabled lessons, revisiting familiar concepts through our spiral curriculum and developing children’s understanding of the learning process ensures that they feel safe and able to engage in the challenge and enjoyment of learning. Through the sequenced building blocks of progression, the needs of each child are carefully considered in every lesson, and the guidance and support they receive through rich social relationships, with adults and peers, ensures that they feel valued and loved. Children are able to be responsible by respecting, valuing and celebrating other beliefs and cultures. They are engaged, motivated and purposeful in their learning. This is fostered through creative and inspiring activities such as the use of artefacts, visitor assemblies, workshops with local specialists and educational visits which energise their thinking and questioning and provide opportunities to develop and express ideas. Our RE curriculum ensures that Pennoweth children are critically reflective, religiously literate pupils who are ready to apply their growing understanding of religion and belief to their understanding of themselves, the world and their own experience within it.
What will my child experience through Religious Education at Pennoweth?
RE is taught through weekly lessons, project work, and our assemblies and collective worship programme. Pupils explore key religions in the UK using up-to-date resources like the Cornwall SACRE and Understanding Christianity. Learning is enriched through visits, artefacts, ICT, and workshops with faith specialists.
In line with the agreed syllabus, children study Christianity in every key stage, alongside Judaism and Islam in Key Stage One, and at least one of Hinduism, Judaism, or Islam in Key Stage Two. They may also explore other worldviews, such as Humanism, through thematic units. As part of their Christianity learning, pupils also discover Cornwall’s unique spiritual and cultural heritage through Curriculum Kernewek. In Reception, children begin to explore Christianity and other worldviews as part of their growing understanding of themselves and their community.
What RE skills and knowledge will my child learn at Pennoweth?
The teaching of each religion is divided into core concepts. Christianity is divided into eight core concepts which make up the ‘big story’ of The Christian Bible (God, Creation, Fall, People of God, Incarnation, Gospel, Salvation, Kingdom of God). The core concepts fit into a spiral curriculum, whereby concepts are revisited and explored in more depth as pupils move through the school. Thus, pupils encounter core concepts in a coherent way, developing their understanding and their ability to handle questions of religion and belief.
What do Pennoweth’s children think about Religious Education?
Aira (KS1)
‘I loved sharing all about my faith with my friends and learning about Christianity’.
Jack (KS1)
‘I enjoy learning about other people’s faiths and how they are different from and similar to my own.’
I enjoy learning about the world such as Jewish festivals like Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat.’
What does Religious Education look like at Pennoweth?
Useful Websites and Links
Please note: these are external websites which the school has no control over.
BBC Bitesize RE KS1:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zxnygk7