Welcome to RE at Green Lane Primary Academy

“Religious Education opens children’s minds to different beliefs and ways of life, helping them to think deeply, value diversity, and grow into respectful, informed members of society.”

Religious Education at Green Lane is about more than learning about religions and beliefs – it is about exploring big questions, understanding different worldviews, and developing respect for the diverse communities we live in. Through RE, pupils are encouraged to think deeply, listen carefully, and engage thoughtfully with beliefs and values different from their own, directly supporting British Values such as mutual respect, tolerance, and individual liberty. By learning about a range of religions and worldviews, we aim to enrich pupils’ cultural capital and equip them with the knowledge, empathy, and confidence to participate positively in an increasingly diverse society.

Why We Love RE

We love Religious Education because it helps children understand people, beliefs, and communities beyond their own experiences. It gives them the opportunity to explore different religions and worldviews, reflect on important questions about life and meaning, and understand how beliefs and values shape individuals and societies. Through RE, pupils develop curiosity, empathy, and respect, alongside strong skills in discussion, reflection, and critical thinking. They discover that RE is not just about learning facts, but about real people, lived experiences, and the shared values that help us live together in a diverse and respectful world.

What Learning Looks Like

In Religious Education, learning is structured around the three strands of the Middlesbrough SACRE Agreed Syllabus: Believing, Expressing, and Living. Through the Believing strand, pupils learn about a range of religions and worldviews, exploring key beliefs, teachings, and sources of wisdom. The Expressing strand allows children to investigate how beliefs are expressed through practices, worship, symbols, stories, and festivals. Through the Living strand, pupils consider how beliefs and values influence the way people live their lives, make choices, and contribute to their communities.

Learning is carefully sequenced and built around clear, age-appropriate questions that encourage curiosity, reflection, and respectful discussion. Pupils are supported to listen to different viewpoints, express their own ideas with confidence, and develop understanding of shared values such as mutual respect, tolerance, democracy, and individual liberty, directly supporting British Values. Over time, children develop empathy, critical thinking skills, and cultural awareness, equipping them with the knowledge and understanding they need to engage positively and respectfully in a diverse society.

Talking, Exploring and Doing

At Green Lane, Religious Education is brought to life through discussion, exploration, and active learning. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and listen respectfully to different viewpoints, helping them to develop confidence and understanding. Through stories, artefacts, videos, and creative activities, children explore beliefs, practices, and traditions from a range of religions and worldviews.

Learning is interactive and engaging, encouraging curiosity and reflection about how beliefs and values shape people’s lives and communities. Through thoughtful discussion and creative responses, pupils develop empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of diversity, supporting British Values and helping them to grow into considerate, informed members of society.

How We Know Children Are Succeeding

You’ll see your child’s progress in how they can:

• Talk confidently about different religions and worldviews, using appropriate vocabulary and ideas.
• Ask thoughtful questions and share their own views respectfully, listening carefully to others.
• Recall and explain key beliefs, stories, practices, and celebrations from a range of religions.
• Make meaningful links between beliefs, values, and everyday life, including their own experiences.
• Show respect, empathy, and curiosity towards people with different beliefs and ways of life.
• Celebrate themselves and understanding and valuing their own place in our school community and beyond.

Ideas For RE At Home

Website	Description
BBC Bitesize – World Religion Day	This BBC Bitesize page has many resources to explore world religion as a family.
The Story Tent	The Story Tent website provides easily accessible online teaching materials to support KS2 pupils as they learn more about Religion and Worldviews through the lens of story.
Taste Wise Kids	A free resource with activities and ideas that encourages families to explore food traditions tied to global celebrations and holidays.