At Manor Farm Academy, we recognise that the teaching of Religious Education plays a vital role in enabling students to understand diverse beliefs and draw connections to their own Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural values. Our RE curriculum is thoughtfully designed and structured to ensure that students are challenged and engaged, allowing them to participate in balanced and informed discussions about religion and beliefs. We are committed to fostering inquisitiveness by encouraging students to ask thought-provoking questions about the world around them while promoting respect and sensitivity towards individuals whose faiths and beliefs may differ from their own.
Our curriculum is designed to celebrate the rich diversity of students at Manor Farm Academy, emphasising their local community while also embracing a broader cultural perspective. It values the heritage of Lincoln, encouraging students to appreciate local landmarks and places of worship, such as Lincoln Cathedral, various church denominations, and the Lincoln Central Mosque. By fostering curiosity about diverse beliefs, our curriculum supports students in developing inquiry-based skills in Religious Education, thereby enhancing their cultural awareness and understanding. We are dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment where children learn to appreciate the various ways people live and the beliefs that influence those lifestyles. Building on prior knowledge, our curriculum ensures that students will know more, remember more, and understand more as they progress.
The Subject Leader for Religious Education (RE) at Manor Farm Academy will take a proactive role in leading, monitoring, evaluating, reviewing, and celebrating effective teaching practices in RE. The RE curriculum is structured in accordance with the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus, developed by the Lincoln Diocese, ensuring alignment with local educational standards and community values.
RE is taught through a whole-school approach, delivered via discrete lessons throughout the academic year and further enhanced during dedicated RE day(s) for the entire school. Lessons build on prior learning and progressively develop critical skills year by year. Additionally, the RE curriculum is connected to the Social, Moral, Spiritual, and Cultural (SMSC) elements embedded in the broader curriculum, reinforcing students’ holistic growth and ethical understanding.
Manor Farm Academy promotes inclusivity and makes no assumptions regarding the religious beliefs, backgrounds, or values of its students and staff. The school celebrates and values the religious diversity within the community, fostering an environment where individuals feel encouraged to share their own experiences. In a region with limited cultural diversity, pupils enhance their understanding of different faiths and cultural backgrounds through RE lessons, community member visits, trips to local places of worship, and celebrations of students’ unique religious backgrounds.
Each RE learning unit includes a cycle of lessons that promote progression and depth, incorporating regular low-stakes assessments conducted at the beginning and end of each unit to enhance learning retention. These units are designed to be thought-provoking, incorporating philosophical questions that encourage pupils to critically apply their learning. Lessons may also include religious artefacts accompanied by in-depth exploration questions to enrich pupils’ understanding of their use across different faiths. To further engage students, suggested trips and workshops are provided, offering high-quality, immersive learning experiences, with a knowledge organiser for each unit created by Key Stage 2 (KS2) teachers.
The RE Subject Leader is also dedicated to personal development, seeking relevant training to enhance their subject knowledge and skills. This ongoing professional development enables the leader to support curriculum advancement and provide guidance to colleagues, thereby enriching the teaching of RE throughout the school.
At Manor Farm Academy, our pupils develop an awareness of the world around them and demonstrate a deep respect for the beliefs of others. They approach Religious Education (RE) with curiosity and enthusiasm, fully engaging in lessons that stimulate inquisitive thinking and promote open-minded exploration. In our supportive and respectful environment, students feel safe to learn about diverse perspectives and are confident in sharing their own beliefs with their peers.
Our pupils comprehend the purpose of RE, recognising the value of learning about different beliefs for their personal growth and future. They can articulate the significance of RE in fostering understanding, empathy, and cultural awareness—skills that are essential for navigating today’s diverse society.
To evaluate the impact of our RE curriculum, we employ a variety of assessment methods. This includes regular reflections on learning across year groups through Book Looks, conducted once per term, and Knowledge Retention Checks, which occur three times a year. Additionally, we facilitate pupil discussions twice annually to gather insights into their experiences and understanding, ensuring that our curriculum remains effective and engaging.
As emphasised by the National Curriculum Framework (2013), “The modern world needs young people who are sufficiently confident in their own beliefs and values that they can respect the religious and cultural differences of others, and contribute to a cohesive and compassionate society.” This vision aligns with our commitment at Manor Farm Academy to empower our students to become respectful, open-minded individuals who value and contribute to a harmonious, inclusive community.
