Religious Education at Ordsall Primary School

At Ordsall Primary School, Religious Education is taught as a distinct subject that helps pupils understand different religions and world views, reflect on important questions about life and belief, and develop respect for others in a diverse society.

We follow the Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education – Religious Education for All, with a clear ambition that pupils leave Ordsall with secure knowledge of major religions and world views, the ability to think carefully about belief and values, and a strong understanding of how religion shapes people’s lives and communities.

Our Religious Education Curriculum

Our Religious Education curriculum is based on the three key areas of learning identified in the Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus:

• Knowledge and understanding – learning about a range of religions and world views, including their beliefs, practices and traditions.
• Expressing ideas and insights – developing the ability to reflect on and discuss questions about meaning, purpose, identity and belief.
• Engaging with religions and world views – developing the skills needed to explore and think seriously about religions and world views.

Clear progression ensures that knowledge and understanding build over time from Early Years through to Year 6.

How Religious Education Is Taught: Our Lesson Design

Across the school, Religious Education lessons follow a shared lesson design that provides consistency for pupils while allowing teachers to adapt teaching to meet individual needs.

Lessons typically include:

Big Picture – pupils understand what they are learning and why it matters

Revisit – prior knowledge and key vocabulary are revisited

Teach – clear explanation, modelling and use of stories, artefacts or images

Learning Together – discussion, reflection and supported exploration of ideas

Independent Learning – pupils apply their understanding through writing, discussion or creative responses

Reflect – pupils review what they have learned and how their thinking has developed

This structure supports strong understanding, meaningful discussion and the development of knowledge over time.

Thinking and Working Like Religious Scholars

Pupils are taught to think carefully and respectfully about religions and world views through opportunities to:

• ask thoughtful questions about belief, meaning and identity
• explore similarities and differences between religions and traditions
• discuss and reflect on important moral and philosophical questions
• consider how beliefs influence people’s lives and communities
• use appropriate vocabulary to talk about religions and beliefs

Vocabulary is taught explicitly and revisited regularly so pupils can communicate their ideas clearly and respectfully.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Where possible, learning is enriched through experiences that help pupils connect their learning to the world around them.

Pupils benefit from opportunities such as:

• visits to St Swithun’s Church and All Hallows Church
• visits to the National Holocaust Centre and Museum
• experience days led by the Religious Studies Resource Centre in Nottingham, exploring religions such as Judaism, Hinduism and Islam
• the story of the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, who originated from this local area, also provides opportunities to connect learning between History and Religious Education.

These experiences help deepen pupils’ understanding of religions and beliefs and make learning meaningful and memorable.

Inclusion and Impact

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils can access and succeed in Religious Education. Teaching is adapted to support individual needs while maintaining high expectations for all learners.

The impact of our Religious Education curriculum is seen in pupils’ secure knowledge of religions and world views, their ability to discuss beliefs with respect and understanding, and their growing awareness of the role religion plays in communities and societies.