Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School, Downes Road, St Albans, Herts AL4 9NT
Religious Education
We believe that RE at Wheatfields is an opportunity for the children to gain knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of major religions both locally and globally, helping the children to understand worldwide views, beliefs and practices of others and how different religions, customs and ways of life are diverse.
RE is taught at Wheatfields via the Jigsaw program. This program has been carefully designed to teach the children about different religions and beliefs through engaging and accessible lessons. The subject is taught in half termly blocks, launched through an enquiry question, which the children return to throughout the subsequent lessons. We understand the importance of real life experiences, improving the children’s cultural capital and we recognise the importance of meeting and talking to people from all faith communities as well as having the opportunity to visit places of worship.
The children begin to think about and form their own personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting others’ beliefs and views. They are encouraged to question, interpret and evaluate texts, sources of wisdom and also develop their vocabulary as well as their ability to ask questions about what they are learning.
Withdrawal:
All parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE teaching. (1944 Act, re-enacted in the 1988 Act). Parents are not obliged to state their reasons for seeking withdrawal. However, we encourage parents with any concerns about the teaching of RE in Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School to discuss their views with the Headteacher before requesting their child be withdrawn. It is also recognised that teachers have the right to refuse to teach RE. This is something that the individual teacher concerned would need to discuss with the RE subject leader, the Headteacher and possibly the Governors.
What the children say about RE in School:
"Apple, honey. It was Rosh Hashanah." - Nursery child.
"Drawing patterns" - Nursery child when thinking about rangoli patterns for Diwali.
"We were drawing people who are special." Who is special to you? My family and my babysitter, they look after me." - Reception child
"God is special to Christians, my Mummy is a Christian." Reception child
"Charity is when you give someone what they need." - Year 1 child
"I'm thankful for my friends because they're funny and they play with me." What does thankful mean? "It means you're happy that it's there." Year 1 child
"During Sukkot, Jewish people build a sukkah and they leave a hole at the top, so they can see God's light." Year 2 child
"We were learning about morals, it's a lesson." Year 2 child
