Our Vision for RE Learning at Burlington

Our aim for RE is to promote respect and open-mindedness towards others with different faiths and beliefs.  We explore what people believe and the difference this makes to how they live.   Diversity and individuality are celebrated; children are encouraged to express their beliefs, cultural practices and give good reasons for their views so that they have the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised.

RE Curriculum Overview

Religious Education at Burlington allows children to share their experiences and learn from one another as well as the religions and beliefs represented across our school. We aim to support children to develop positive attitudes of respect towards people of all faiths and none and to develop religious literacy, so they may speak about religion and belief in informed and respectful ways. At Burlington, we follow The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames Agreed syllabus for RE 2018-2023. The agreed syllabus (linked below) sets out the statutory requirements for schools in Kingston.

In Early Years (Nursery and Reception), we create an environment in which children can appreciate that everyone is equal, where diversity is celebrated and that they can understand that everyone’s needs should be treated fairly and equally.    There is a big emphasis on responding to the children’s growing sense of personal identity and their own beliefs through expressive arts eg song, music, dance and art. RE at Burlington sits very firmly within the areas of personal, social and emotional development and understanding the world.

Our RE framework enables children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others, and to learn how to form positive and respectful relationships. At Burlington, they will do this through a balance of guided, planned teaching and pursuing their own learning within an enabling environment. They will begin to understand and value the differences of individuals and groups within our school and their immediate community. Children will encounter Christianity and other faiths, as part of their growing sense of self, their own community and their place within it.  

In Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), children at Burlington are taught knowledge, skills and understanding through learning about Christians, Muslims and Jews. We also encounter other religions and worldviews in thematic units, and celebrate other religious festivals throughout the school year.  The principal aim of religious education is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that our children can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living. 

Here is a detailed overview of the agreed syllabus for RE curriculum at Burlington:

The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames Agreed syllabus for RE 2018-2023

The curriculum map below gives you a complete summary of the RE skills, knowledge and key vocabulary that we teach our children, during each term as they progress from Nursery / Reception and through to Years 1 and 2.

RE @ Burlington - Curriculum Map

Here are some photos of our teaching and learning for RE across the school: 

News and Events

RE Experts

At Burlington, we are very proud of our diverse community. This Autumn term there will be many families celebrating special religious festivals such as Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Diwali, St Andrew's Day, Bodhi Day, Hanukkah and Christmas just to name a few.

We would love the children to share their news and personal experiences with their class. This could be anything from artefacts such as special story books, photos, special clothes, a piece of music/food and some helpful written notes of information about the artefacts/festival. Remember: Photos and videos can also be uploaded to share via Tapestry of which can then be shared in class or in my special festival assemblies. Don't forget to sign up for culture cat. Please talk to your class teacher to arrange a particular date.

*Diwali Celebration/Multicultural morning is on Friday 17th October from 9am-10am. There are limited number of spaces per class so if you would like to do a multicultural activity with a small group of children, please sign up on sheet by the door. Thank you.

Miss Braithwaite, Religious Education (RE) Lead

Big Questions

Each term, children reflect on their learning by thinking about our 'big questions'.  For example in Reception, children consider what makes them special and unique.  In Year 1 have been understanding what it means to be part of a faith community.

Around the World Week

In May we enjoyed our annual Around the World Week at Burlington - it was a great success!  Each class focused on a country of choice and made a snack/dish that originated from this country. The children learnt key facts about that country and had such fun researching and finding out new things.  We were also so lucky to have parents who posted videos telling the children about their own cultures. The children were delighted to watch these and found them so interesting and informative.

Earthsong came to visit our school and brought with them instruments from around the world and a huge number of drums of different shapes and sizes. All classes had an Earthsong session and learnt about the different instruments, which country they come from and what they sound like. All children took part in a drumming workshop at the end of the session. This was very noisy but so much fun.

The week concluded with a cultural dress up day which saw children wearing cultural dress from a very wide range of countries. This made for a wonderful and very colourful end to what was a fantastic week!

Photos from Around the World Week

How to Help at Home

• Discussing the different beliefs of family and friends
• Visiting places of worship when on holiday
• Encourage your child to talk about their views and opinions