Religious Education
Our school culture is rooted in our theologically grounded Christian vision of Life in all its Fullness (John 10:10), which underpins all aspects of school life. This culture is expressed through our child-friendly values, the four ‘Bs’. Believing, inspired by the parable of the Two Builders, encourages pupils to build their lives on strong values and beliefs. Being our Best, drawn from the parable of the Farmer and the Seeds, reflects our commitment to enabling all children to grow and flourish like seeds in good soil. Being Creative, rooted in the parable of the Three Servants, values the gifts each individual has been given and encourages their responsible and imaginative use. Belonging, inspired by the parable of the Lost Sheep, affirms the worth of every person and promotes a happy, inclusive community where all are valued. The Church of England Statement of Entitlement aligns with and supports this vision, ensuring that it is lived out coherently, particularly through high-quality Religious Education.
Our Curriculum
Birchanger Primary School is a Church of England voluntary controlled school and follows the Essex SACRE Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. The RE curriculum is guided by the Church of England Statement of Entitlement, ensuring that all pupils are entitled to a high-quality, inclusive and ambitious Religious Education that enables them to flourish.
Religious Education at Birchanger is enquiry-led and delivered through the Essex SATRE approach, with Christianity as the core focus, studied as a living and diverse faith. Pupils also learn about and encounter other major world religions and worldviews, promoting understanding, respect and diversity in line with the Statement of Entitlement.
Learning in RE is structured through three interconnected lenses: theology (believing), philosophy (thinking) and human and social sciences (living). These lenses enable pupils to explore beliefs, ask challenging questions about meaning and purpose, and understand how faith is lived out in the lives of individuals and communities. They also support assessment by enabling teachers to evaluate pupils’ knowledge, understanding and progression across faiths and worldviews.
Sufficient curriculum time is allocated to Religious Education, with a minimum of 5% of curriculum time dedicated to the subject. This entitlement is delivered through the SATRE curriculum and enriched through additional units and focused RE days informed by Understanding Christianity. RE units are planned within the school’s two-year topic cycle to ensure coherence, progression and continuity, particularly within mixed-age classes.
