Subject Leader: Mrs Dhaliwal
1. Our Religious Education Curriculum
At Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary, Religious Education (RE) lies at the heart of our Christian vision and values. It helps children explore life’s big questions, develop respect for others, and understand how beliefs shape the way people live. We follow the Telford & Wrekin Agreed Syllabus, supported by Understanding Christianity, focusing mainly on Christianity, while also teaching Sikhism and Islam to reflect our school and local context. Through stories, art, reflection and discussion, pupils are encouraged to think deeply, share their ideas, and celebrate diversity. RE supports our vision for children to be responsible, respectful, and compassionate members of our community and to flourish as they grow in faith, knowledge and understanding.
2. Subject Vision and Intent
Religious Education at Coalbrookdale & Ironbridge CE Primary School is central to our identity as a Church of England school. It enables pupils to explore big questions about life, faith, and meaning, and to understand the beliefs and values that influence people in our local and global communities. We mainly teach Christianity, reflecting our school’s Christian character and values, while also exploring Sikhism and Islam as additional faiths that reflect our local and wider community context. Through our teaching, pupils learn about Christianity as a living faith as well as other principal world religions. Our curriculum encourages children to reflect on their own beliefs, develop respect for others, and make responsible and compassionate choices in their lives. RE contributes to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development and helps them flourish as individuals who can live well together in a diverse world.
3. Implementation — How the Curriculum Is Delivered
We follow the Telford & Wrekin Agreed Syllabus, which provides a broad and balanced framework for exploring a range of religions and worldviews. This is enhanced by Understanding Christianity, which supports deep learning about key Christian concepts and the big story of the Bible. Our curriculum gives significant focus to Christianity, ensuring children develop a deep understanding of Christian beliefs, practices, and festivals, while also studying Sikhism and Islam to reflect the diversity of our local community and the wider world. Lessons are enquiry-based and include discussion, art, drama, reflection, and written responses. Teachers adapt resources to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring that children with SEND are supported through scaffolded tasks, visual prompts and additional adult guidance. Staff receive training through the Diocese of Lichfield and local authority RE networks. Whole-school RE days, church visits and visits from faith representatives further enrich the curriculum and bring learning to life.
4. Inclusion and SEND
RE is for everyone. Lessons are designed to be inclusive and accessible, promoting respect and understanding of different beliefs and cultures. Children with SEND access the same rich discussions and experiences as their peers, with adapted materials to match their learning needs. We ensure all pupils can express their ideas in different ways – through talk, creative responses or sensory activities. This inclusive approach allows every child to succeed and develop confidence in exploring faith and meaning.
5. Personal Development and Cultural Capital
RE plays a vital role in children’s personal development by helping them make sense of their world, appreciate diversity, and reflect on moral choices. Pupils learn to be curious, open-minded, and respectful of others, developing empathy and understanding of global issues. Our Christian values are woven throughout the curriculum, supporting pupils to become compassionate citizens who live out respect and responsibility. Opportunities such as visiting Holy Trinity Church, meeting local faith leaders, and celebrating festivals (e.g. Diwali, Christmas, Easter) enrich pupils’ cultural capital and deepen their understanding of community and belonging.
6. Impact — Monitoring, Evidence and Outcomes
Monitoring includes lesson observations, pupil voice, book looks, and planning reviews. Evidence shows that pupils enjoy RE, engage in thoughtful discussions and demonstrate strong recall of key concepts from Christianity and other faiths. Assessment at the end of each unit tracks pupils’ understanding of key knowledge and concepts. Progress is evident through written and verbal responses that show increasing depth of reflection and understanding. Recent monitoring highlights improved consistency in planning and assessment following the introduction of the new RE long-term plan. Next steps include strengthening assessment across all key stages and developing greater opportunities for pupils to make cross-curricular links between RE and PSHE.
7. Subject Leadership and Development
As subject leader, I have worked closely with the Diocese of Hereford and local authority advisors to develop a clear and progressive RE curriculum. Staff have been supported through training on Understanding Christianity, modelling planning approaches and sharing high-quality resources. Monitoring and staff feedback demonstrate that confidence in teaching RE has improved. As subject leader, I contribute to whole-school policy development, ensuring that RE remains a key driver for promoting diversity, respect and spiritual growth. Future development priorities include embedding more opportunities for reflective practice and pupil-led worship.
Curriculum Overview – RE