Religious Education
At Hackthorn CE Primary, Religious Education (RE) plays a vital role in helping our children become thoughtful, respectful, and understanding members of a diverse society. We follow the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus for RE, which encourages children to explore different faiths, beliefs, and worldviews in a balanced and inclusive way. We also use the Understanding Christianity resource as a key part of our curriculum. This high-quality programme helps children explore the Christian faith in a thoughtful, engaging, and age-appropriate way, while encouraging respect for all beliefs and worldviews.
What Is the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus?
This syllabus is created specifically for schools in Lincolnshire and sets out what should be taught in RE from Early Years through to Year 6. It supports spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development and promotes mutual respect and tolerance.
What Is Understanding Christianity?
Understanding Christianity is a resource developed by RE experts, church schools, and teachers across the country. It provides a structured approach to teaching Christianity that supports children’s knowledge, understanding, and reflection.
It is used by many schools (church and non-church alike) to teach Christianity within the broader RE curriculum. Using Understanding Christianity helps children:
- Gain a deeper and more coherent understanding of the Christian faith
- Explore how Christian belief has influenced lives, cultures, and history
- Develop respect and understanding for others' beliefs
- Make connections between faith and everyday life
It’s fully in line with the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus and supports our broader aims of nurturing thoughtful, compassionate learners.
What Do Children Learn?
Children learn about:
- Major world religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and others
- Non-religious worldviews, including Humanism
- The importance of beliefs, values, and traditions in people’s lives
- Similarities and differences between beliefs and practices
- Key religious festivals, stories, places of worship, and symbols
Through Understanding Christianity, children explore “big questions” through key Bible stories and Christian concepts. These include areas such as:
- God – What do Christians believe God is like?
- Creation – Who made the world?
- People of God – What is it like to follow God?
- Incarnation – Why do Christians believe Jesus is God on Earth?
- Salvation – Why is Easter important to Christians?
- Gospel – What kind of world did Jesus want?
- Kingdom of God – What does it mean if God is king?
Lessons are not just about facts — they encourage children to think deeply, ask questions, make links to their own experiences, and reflect on different views.
Early Years and Key Stage 1 (Ages 4–7)
- Children begin to explore simple questions about faith, belonging, and celebrations
- They learn through storytelling, art, music, drama, and first-hand experiences
- Topics might include: "Why do we celebrate special times?" or "Who is special to us?"
Key Stage 2 (Ages 7–11)
- Pupils dive deeper into the beliefs, practices, and values of different religions
- They explore questions like: "What does it mean to lead a good life?" or "How do people express their beliefs?"
- Emphasis is placed on respect, reflection, and understanding diversity in modern Britain
Why RE Matters
RE helps children:
- Understand and respect different cultures and perspectives
- Develop empathy, tolerance, and thoughtful questioning
- Reflect on their own beliefs and values
- Prepare for life in a multicultural, multi-faith world
We encourage open, respectful dialogue and provide opportunities for children to visit places of worship, hear from faith visitors, and take part in engaging discussions and creative work.
