Our Lead Philospher is Mrs Cook Paine.

At St Gregory's CE Primary School our Religious Education curriculum follows the Emmanuel Project. This scheme of work provides children with a wide range of inspiring opportunities following a five step learning process of Engage, Enquire, Explore, Evaluate and Express. Throughout their time at St Gregory's we develop understanding of Christianity as a world faith and make comparisons with other faiths whilst aiming to encourage a sense of respect for religious traditions, beliefs and practice. It is important to us to support children as they develop skills and attitudes which will support their personal, moral, social and cultural development.  The Emmanuel Project uses big questions as central to its approach. These questions are then explored in different ways and children are encouraged to ask their own questions throughout.

At St Gregory's School, our RE curriculum focuses on a small number of core concepts in order to enable pupils to develop a deep understanding of Christianity and of other faith and non-faith positions. Pupils learn about and revisit core concepts in different contexts as they move through the school. These varied encounters deepen pupils’ understanding of the meaning of these concepts. The curriculum explores ways in which belief in the core concepts has an impact on the diverse communities involved and on the lives of individuals. We aim to engage pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions which religion and world views address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own. The curriculum weaves in opportunities for pupils to reflect upon these ideas in relation to their understanding of religion and faith or non-faith positions and includes their own responses.  

Religious Education provides rich opportunities for children and young people to learn about things that matter in the lives of local people and the wider world. Our syllabus enables pupils to study beliefs, teachings and ways of living, and is structured so that they can explore a range of responses to questions of identity, meaning, purpose, values and commitments. In the process they can examine and reflect upon their own ideas and values. At a time when religious beliefs guide the lives of billions of people worldwide, understanding people’s views can be a first step to recognising and appreciating diversity. This is particularly important at a time of global tensions. Our agreed syllabus inspires creative, challenging and thoughtful Religious Education to promote personal development. It encourages a thoughtful and questioning approach to life and seeks to lay the foundation for schools, so that their pupils grow in understanding of themselves and the world in which they live, preparing them for life in Britain today.

Principal aim

The principal aim of RE is to engage pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own.

The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils:

Know about and understand a range of religions and world views, so that they can:

• describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals
• identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews
• appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning.
• Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can:
• explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities
• express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues
• appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion.
• Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can:
• find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively
• enquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the well being of all
• articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives.
• When planning, teachers at St Gregory’s consider how their teaching contributes towards the principal aim of RE in the local area, and how they help pupils to achieve the threefold aim.

Our agreed syllabus requires that all pupils learn from Christianity in each key stage. In addition, pupils will learn from the principal religions represented in the UK, in line with the law. These are Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hunanism and Judaism.

As a church school we have strong links with our local Parish Church St Gregory’s and visit to hold regular services. At Easter, Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas time, each class contributes to the services with poems or songs or readings. The children will write and read their prayers. Every Wednesday we hold a special values service in the church and parents are welcome to join us.  

Our Year 6 children regularly participate in the Salisbury Diocese Leavers service in the Cathedral.

The right of Withdrawal from RE

We aim to be an inclusive community but recognise that parents, of course, have the legal right to withdraw their children from Religious Education. We would ask any parent considering this to contact the Head teacher to discuss any concerns or anxieties about the policy, provision and practice of Religious Education at St Gregory’s School.

FAITH, HOPE, LOVE!

Our Core Christian Values are Faith, Love and Hope.  These values play a huge part in our children’s lives, helping them see that they are not only an important part of the educational process but also to their overall development as individuals. For us as a school, their importance should never be underestimated. We live in a changing world, `and we want our values to reflect this, that we are a church school which belongs to a strong community and a diverse wider world. 

We collaborated closely with all stakeholders, church, community, governors, staff, parents and children to consider what we wanted our new values to be and portray.  In launching these new values, we planned some special events.  

St Gregory’s Primary School, a Christian foundation, aims to be a place where:

1. Children and staff explore and develop the meaning and role of faith in their life and that of the wider community so as to experience “life in all its fullness”;
   
2. Each child comes to understand that ‘learning has no limits’ and is able to develop their academic, creative and sporting talents to their full potential;
   
3. Staff have high expectations of themselves and the children; their exemplary teaching ensures pupils develop both the discipline of study and the joy of learning, in the context of a safe, caring and happy environment;
   
4. The school community is outward looking, welcoming and working with parents, and inspiring children to engage with the local community and the wider world;
   
5. All seek to demonstrate daily the values we believe to be a sure foundation for fulfilling lives: respect, courage, thankfulness, forgiveness, honesty and friendship

At St Gregory’s we aim that Religious Education will:

1. Provoke challenging and ‘deep’ questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs, the self, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions and religious traditions that examine these questions, fostering personal reflection and spiritual development.
   
2. Encourage pupils to explore their own beliefs (whether religious or non- religious), in the light of what they learn as they examine issues of religious belief and faith and how these impact on personal, institutional and social ethics; and to express their responses.
   
3. Enable pupils to build their sense of identity and belonging, which helps them flourish within their communities and as citizens in a diverse society.
   
4. Teach pupils to develop respect for each other, including people with different faiths and beliefs, and helps to challenge prejudice.
   
5. Prompt pupils to consider their responsibilities to themselves and to others, and to explore how they might contribute to their communities and to wider society. It encourages empathy, generosity and compassion.
   Develop a sense of awe and wonder and mystery

Our Young Worship Ambassadors-

These children work closely with Reverend Gaenor  and our RE lead teacher Mrs Cook-Paine to plan and deliver collective worship – both in school and in the church. They take a lead role in key services for example Remembrance.  Find out more on our Young Worship Ambassadors

SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools)

We are pleased that our last SIAMS inspection in 2017 gave St Greg’s an overall rating as good.

“Children have a developing understanding of Christian values which they articulate with growing confidence, beginning to recognise the contribution these make to their lives and achievements”