RE Intent Statement 

At Thirsk Community Primary School, our Religious Education curriculum is rooted in our core values of inclusion, compassion and ambition. We aim to inspire children to ask thoughtful and challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, the nature of right and wrong, different beliefs and traditions, and what it means to be human.

We celebrate diversity within and between religions and worldviews, encouraging children to see difference as something to value and respect. Through learning about both religious and non-religious perspectives in local, national and global contexts, our children develop curiosity, empathy and critical thinking. They learn to reflect deeply at every stage of their journey, recognising that worldviews are complex and that individuals may hold different understandings and interpretations.

Our approach enables children to evaluate information from different sources, form their own considered responses, and express their ideas with clarity and respect. By fostering a culture of reflection and dialogue, we equip our pupils with the knowledge and understanding to develop their own values and to participate positively in a diverse society.

RE Implementation Statement

At Thirsk Community Primary School, we follow the North Yorkshire RE curriculum, which is built around three strands:

· Believing: Religious beliefs, teachings, sources; questions about meaning, purpose and truth.

· Expressing: Religious and spiritual forms of expression; questions about identity and diversity.

· Living: Religious practices and ways of living; questions about values and commitments.

These strands are taught progressively across each key stage to ensure that children can connect new knowledge with prior learning. Our lessons are designed to build confidence in respectful dialogue, where children practise both listening to others and articulating their own views.

RE is taught weekly in all classes—45 minutes in KS1 and one hour in KS2. Each lesson blends explicit teaching with opportunities for reflection and discussion, encouraging children to consider their own responses alongside those of others. This reflective approach ensures pupils not only acquire knowledge but also develop compassion and ambition in their thinking and learning.

RE Impact Statement 

Children at Thirsk Community Primary School will enjoy exploring a rich variety of religions and worldviews. They will understand that people may choose, or may not choose, to follow a religion, and that all perspectives deserve respect. Our pupils will learn to celebrate diversity, drawing meaningful links between their own lives, the lives of those in their community, and people around the world.

Through this, children will develop a deeper appreciation of different cultures, practices and beliefs, recognising the complexity of worldviews and the importance of compassion and inclusion.

In EYFS and KS1, floor books will capture practical and discussion-based learning, alongside children’s creative responses. In KS2, individual RE books provide a record of both written work and reflective thinking, helping pupils see their personal progression across the key stage.

Leaders will assess the impact of RE through pupil voice, book monitoring and classroom dialogue. These approaches provide insight into the children’s knowledge, understanding and reflections, ensuring that Religious Education continues to inspire ambition, foster compassion, and strengthen inclusion across our school community.