At Laurel Lane we want the children to develop creatively, work collaboratively and to develop the children’s curiosity and compassion. The children are taught about a range of religions as well as faith and values and learn to respect and ask questions about different religions, traditions and cultures around the world. Across the school year we aim to make R.E relevant by studying the religions most common within our community and celebrating real events, from holding a whole school Diwali and Eid week and celebrations, learning about special occasions in assemblies, exploring real artefacts from a focussed religion during lessons and visiting places of worship.

We believe children learn best from real experiences in order to capture their imaginations and encourage curiosity. We try to enhance our curriculum in many ways to ensure this is how children learn and respect different religions. We start our topics by assessing what the children already know about the topics. All our R.E. topics are centred on a big question/ idea. During religious education lessons, children are challenged to push themselves to think outside of their comfort zones and explore their skills, beliefs and ideas; asking questions at all times whilst experiencing practical lessons. The children then self-assess what they have learnt at the end of the topic, identifying new facts they have learnt.

Children are taught to think about their own school and personal values and to understand how people of different backgrounds or beliefs may share similar values whilst differing in other values. Questions are constantly being asked of children whilst allowing them to ask their own questions in order to develop their critical thinking, self-belief and self-confidence. Children exhibit their religious education in many cross-curricular ways, from dance, creativity, writing and role-play in order to fully immerse children in understanding of a topic.

At Laurel Lane we are guided by the Hillingdon Religious Education Syllabus.

It is the policy of the school and Frays Academy Trust that Collective Worship and Religious Education are for all. Children should not be withdrawn, unless at the request of parents, by a letter to the Headteacher. The school will respect parental wishes and will discuss the request to see if an accommodation can be reached and to ensure collective worship and religious education remains inclusive, invitational and open to all members of the school community.