At Southwick School, our Religious Education curriculum is rooted in our identity as a Church of England school and guided by our core value to “do everything in love.” Our intent is to nurture pupils who are thoughtful, respectful, and compassionate, with a deep understanding of Christianity as a lived faith and an awareness of other world religions and beliefs.

We aim for all pupils to develop a secure knowledge of the Christian faith, its teachings, and its impact on the lives of believers, while also exploring a range of other religions and worldviews. Through this, pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and values, fostering spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.

Our RE curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity and questioning. Pupils are given opportunities to ask meaningful questions, explore big ideas, and consider different perspectives in a safe and supportive environment. We want children to develop an understanding of how faith influences people’s lives and to recognise the importance of respect, tolerance, and empathy in a diverse world.

Guided by our Christian ethos, we encourage pupils to live out our value of “doing everything in love” by showing kindness, understanding, and respect towards others, regardless of their beliefs. Through RE, pupils are equipped not only with knowledge but with the values and attitudes needed to contribute positively to their community and the wider world.

At Southwick School, Religious Education is taught through weekly lessons, ensuring that pupils have regular and consistent opportunities to develop their knowledge, understanding, and reflection. Lessons are carefully planned and sequenced to build upon prior learning, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding of Christianity and other world religions over time.

As a Church of England school, our RE curriculum places Christianity at its heart. We use the Understanding Christianity resource to support pupils in exploring key biblical concepts and developing a deeper understanding of the Christian faith as a lived religion. In addition, we use Discovery RE to provide a structured, enquiry-based approach to learning about a range of world religions and worldviews. This ensures a balanced and progressive curriculum that promotes both knowledge and critical thinking.

Teaching is enquiry-based, encouraging pupils to ask questions, discuss ideas, reflect on meaning, and explore different perspectives in a supportive and respectful environment. Pupils are given opportunities to make connections between beliefs, teachings, and everyday life, helping them to understand the relevance of faith in the modern world.

Religious Education is closely linked with our programme of collective worship. Themes explored in worship are often reinforced and developed further within RE lessons, creating a cohesive and meaningful spiritual experience for pupils. This connection supports pupils in making links between learning and lived experience, helping to deepen their spiritual development.

Our teaching is underpinned by our Christian ethos and our core value to “do everything in love.” This is evident in the way pupils are encouraged to engage with others’ beliefs with empathy, kindness, and respect. Through discussion, reflection, and shared experiences, pupils learn to value diversity and consider how they can live out these values in their own lives.

Through regular, structured teaching, the use of high-quality resources, and strong links with collective worship, our RE curriculum at Southwick School supports pupils in developing as reflective, respectful, and thoughtful individuals who understand the role of faith in people’s lives and strive to do everything in love.