Overview
At Bridge Street, Religious Education supports pupils to understand themselves, others and the diverse world around them. RE encourages pupils to explore big questions about identity, beliefs, values and community in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. We follow the Derbyshire and Derby City Agreed Syllabus, adapted carefully to meet the needs of all pupils.
Intent
Our intent is to provide an RE curriculum that is meaningful, engaging and accessible to all learners. We aim to:
- Help pupils explore questions of spirituality, identity, ethics, discrimination and prejudice in a safe and supported way.
- Develop religious literacy, enabling pupils to understand what it means to follow a religion or hold no faith.
- Encourage pupils to express their own thoughts, experiences and beliefs respectfully and confidently.
- Promote understanding, tolerance and harmony within our school community and the wider world.
- Engage pupils through creative, experiential learning, including opportunities to explore artefacts, stories, celebrations and—where appropriate—visits to local places of worship.
- Build expressive and receptive vocabulary, supporting communication and emotional development through structured discussion, visuals and key words.
- Inspire curiosity and critical thinking, helping pupils understand and question different belief systems in a safe and supportive environment.
At Bridge Street, RE also plays an important role in promoting respect, inclusion and the fundamental British values of tolerance and mutual understanding.
Implementation
RE is taught using a structured scheme of work and provides clear progression across year groups. Lessons timings are flexible and adapted to pupil needs, regulation needs or emotional readiness.
Teachers personalise each lesson to support pupils with SEND and SEMH needs. This includes:
- Small-group or individual teaching
- Use of visuals, scaffolds and practical resources
- Simplified language and supported discussion
- Opportunities for experiential learning and sensory-friendly activities
Not all learning is recorded formally. Written work is captured in individual topic books when appropriate, while whole-class discussions, practical tasks and exploration may be recorded through photos, floor books or teacher notes. Staff are supported through the scheme’s subject knowledge guidance and online resources.
Impact
The impact of our RE curriculum is monitored through book looks, lesson visits, teacher voice and pupil voice. We assess not only what pupils remember but also how they apply their understanding in the wider school environment. Improvements in pupils’ language, confidence, empathy and respect for others reflect strong progress in RE.
We also track patterns of behaviour, including incidents of discriminatory language or attitudes, to ensure that RE is positively shaping pupils’ understanding of diversity, inclusion and community.
By the time pupils leave Bridge Street, they have developed a clearer sense of self, a better understanding of others and a growing respect for the diverse world around them.
Religious Education Key Questions – An Overview
Contact us
If you require more information about RE and the curriculum we teach at Bridge Street, please contact:
Amy Meakin – RE Lead
