Religious Studies is a field of learning which explores the religious beliefs and practices of all faiths, investigates their impact and effect on the lives of believers and non-believers and encourages children to develop a thoughtful and responsible attitude towards their world. It helps to develop critical skills in pupils and encourages them to respect the beliefs and values of others. It equips them to make up their own mind about issues and enables individuals to take responsibility for their own decisions.

By the end of Key Stage 1, children will be able to re-tell religious stories, identify some religious beliefs, teachings and practices and know that some are characteristic of more than one religion. They will be able to suggest meanings in religious symbols, language and stories and be able to respond sensitively to the experiences and feelings of others, including those with a faith, and to other people’s values and concerns in relation to matters of right and wrong. Most children will realise that some questions that cause people to wonder, are difficult to answer.

By the end of Key Stage 2 and Common Entrance children will have covered the key beliefs and teachings of various religions, connecting them accurately with other features and making some comparisons between religions. They will show understanding of what belonging to a religion involves and be able to show how religious beliefs, ideas and feelings can be expressed in a variety of forms and understand the meaning for some symbols, stories and language, using technical terminology. Children are encouraged to ask questions about the significant experiences of key figures, the puzzling aspects of life and moral and religious issues and be able to suggest answers from their own and others’ experience, making reference to the teaching of religions - thus showing understanding of why certain things are held to be right and wrong.