At Nancledra School, we follow the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (2020), which emphasises the importance and value of RE for all pupils. The syllabus recognises that high‑quality RE contributes to an open, articulate and understanding society, helping children make sense of the world and their place within it.
Religious Education encourages pupils to explore challenging questions about meaning, purpose, beliefs, values, and what it means to be human. Through learning about a range of religions and worldviews in local, national and global contexts, pupils develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand the diverse beliefs and practices that shape people’s lives.
The Cornwall syllabus sets out several key purposes for RE:
- To provoke deep thinking about life’s big questions, including beliefs about God, morality, and human identity.
- To help pupils explore different answers to these questions by learning about a wide range of religions and worldviews.
- To develop the ability to evaluate wisdom from different sources, express personal insights, and agree or disagree respectfully.
- To equip pupils with systematic knowledge and understanding of religions and beliefs, supporting them in forming their own ideas, values and identities.
- To foster an aptitude for dialogue, enabling pupils to participate positively in a diverse society.
- To develop skills in interpreting and evaluating texts and sources of authority, and to articulate personal beliefs clearly while respecting the rights of others.
The Principal Aim of RE
The Cornwall Agreed Syllabus summarises the purpose of RE in one clear statement:
The principal aim of Religious Education is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.
This aim guides all RE teaching at Nancledra. It encourages pupils to:
- investigate beliefs and practices
- understand how beliefs influence actions and ways of life
- reflect on their own views and values
- develop respect for people with different beliefs and perspectives
Further Detail from the Cornwall Syllabus
The Cornwall Agreed Syllabus also emphasises:
- A balanced approach to RE, ensuring pupils learn about religion (knowledge and understanding) and learn from religion (reflection and personal response).
- A focus on enquiry, where each unit is structured around a key question that encourages investigation, discussion and critical thinking.
- Coverage of Christianity and Judaism at KS1, with Christianity and at least two other principal religions (such as Islam and Hinduism) at KS2.
- Opportunities to explore Cornish religious heritage, including the influence of Celtic Christianity and local traditions.
- The importance of developing religious literacy, enabling pupils to use correct vocabulary, understand key concepts, and communicate their ideas with clarity.
Through this approach, RE at Nancledra helps pupils become thoughtful, reflective and respectful individuals who can engage confidently with the diverse beliefs and values found in modern Britain and the wider world.