The intent for delivering RE at Whitstable Junior School is to foster pupils' spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, helping them to explore their own beliefs and values while developing a deep understanding and appreciation of the beliefs of others from a wide range of backgrounds. The principle aim of our RE curriculum is to explore ‘big questions’ about life in order to find out what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live.  We aspire for our pupils to become kind, responsible, global citizens who can engage thoughtfully with the rich tapestry of religious and non-religious world views present in our diverse society and in our school community.

The delivery of RE at Whitstable Junior School is principally through the Kent Agreed Syllabus where pupils will explore key religious concepts, texts, and practices from a range of traditions and belief systems.  We also ensure that our teaching celebrates other religious faiths represented within our school community through theme days, assemblies and class work.  An example of this is our Inter-Faith Week where the children explored the Buddhist, Taoist and Ba’hai faiths.

Our RE lessons are varied and interactive, incorporating a range of activities such as discussions, debates, role-plays, visits to places of worship and guest speakers. We provide opportunities for pupils to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences, encouraging them to be open and enquiring. Through differentiated teaching and learning strategies and in line with our ethos of Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Responsible, we cater to the varied needs and abilities of our pupils, ensuring that all learners feel valued and represented.

The implementation of our RE curriculum is underpinned by strong links with the local community and faith leaders representing various traditions.  We also place a strong emphasis on cross-curricular links, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections and deepen their understanding of the diverse ways in which religion influences and shapes societies across the world.

The impact of our RE curriculum at Whitstable Junior School is evident in the positive outcomes it achieves for our pupils, although it extends beyond academic achievement.  Our high expectations and progressive curriculum support pupils to develop a sense of empathy, tolerance, and respect for the rich diversity of beliefs and cultures that exist within our society.  Our pupils show increased confidence in articulating their own beliefs and values, as well as a willingness to listen to and learn from the differing perspectives present in our multicultural society.

In conclusion, the outstanding intent, implementation, and impact of our RE provision at Whitstable Junior School reflects our commitment to delivering a high-quality education that celebrates diversity, equips pupils with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.