Although all schools must teach religious education, there is no national programme of study. For the majority of schools, Religious Education (RE) teaching will be based on a local education authority programme, although some schools (for example, church schools) may follow a different programme. In general, children learn about the main religions in the country, particularly Christianity. RE aims to help pupils respect the beliefs and practices of others as well as discover more about their own.
Children are taught:
- about Christianity and at least two of the other principal religions
- to recognise the impact of religion and belief locally, nationally and globally
- to make connections between differing aspects of religion
- to consider the different forms of religious expression
- to consider the beliefs, teachings, practices and ways of life central to religion
- about sacred texts and to consider their meanings
- to recognise diversity in religion, learning about similarities and differences both within and between religions and beliefs
- to recognise the challenges involved in distinguishing between ideas of right and wrong,
- to communicate their ideas
- to recognise other people's viewpoints
- to consider their own beliefs and values and those of others
As RE does not have a fixed national curriculum, it also doesn't have set national targets. However, it is suggested that at the end of Key Stage 2 (age 11), most children are able to:
- describe the beliefs and teachings of the religions they've studied, and make some comparisons between religions
- show that they understand what belonging to religions involves
- understand why certain things are held to be right and wrong.
- ask questions about puzzling aspects of life and moral and religious issues
- suggest answers from their own and experiences and those of others, making reference to religious teachings
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