Religious Education

Religious Education at Merton Abbey Primary School

Religion and beliefs inform our values and are reflected in what we say and how we behave. RE is an important subject in itself, developing an individual’s knowledge and understanding of the religions and beliefs which form part of contemporary society.

Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong, and what it means to be human. It can develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the principal religions, other religious traditions and worldviews that offer answers to questions such as these.

RE also contributes to pupils’ personal development and well-being and to community cohesion by promoting mutual respect and tolerance in a diverse society. RE can also make important contributions to other parts of the school curriculum such as citizenship and an understanding of British values, personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE education), the humanities, education for sustainable development and others. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development, deepening the understanding of the significance of religion in the lives of others – individually, communally and cross-culturally.

As a school we want to foster mutual respect and tolerance in a multi faith, multi-cultural classroom through our students:

1. Expressing their own views and being listened to

2. Respecting others and understanding their perspective

3. Understanding concepts of law, liberty, duty and freedom

4. Developing the skills to express, understand and discuss effectively

The RE subject leader is Catherine Cowan