Religious Education at Grace Cook Primary School helps children develop knowledge and understanding of the religions and beliefs that shape our diverse, modern society. Our approach encourages pupils to engage, reflect, respond and evaluate what they are learning, both personally and critically. Respect for others is a key principle that underpins our school culture and our teaching of Religious Education.

Christianity is taught in every year group, enabling children to develop their understanding in a progressive way as they move through the school. Alongside Christianity, pupils also learn about Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. Through this broad curriculum, children are encouraged not only to learn about religions, but also to learn from them, understanding their relevance in a wider cultural and social context.

What is Jigsaw RE?

Jigsaw RE is a comprehensive and carefully structured scheme of learning for Religious Education for children aged 3–12. It has been written by specialist RE teachers and trialled in over 100 schools. The programme provides weekly lesson plans, high-quality resources and an integrated assessment process, making it a robust and engaging approach to teaching RE in primary schools.

Jigsaw RE uses an enquiry-based ‘worldviews’ approach, encouraging children to ask thoughtful questions and explore different beliefs with curiosity and respect. The scheme offers flexibility in the religions and worldviews studied and aligns with current national recommendations, making it fully compatible with locally agreed syllabi across the UK. All resources are available through an online portal, allowing materials to be updated and refreshed regularly.

Religious Education in EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children follow six enquiries across each year group (ages 3–4 and 4–5). These introduce children to a range of religions and beliefs through age-appropriate questions such as:

• What makes people special?

• What makes places special to me and others?

Across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, pupils explore a range of worldviews through structured enquiries. Each age phase includes learning about:

• Buddhism

• Humanism

• Islam

• Judaism

• Sanatana Dharma (formerly known as Hinduism)

• Sikhi (formerly known as Sikhism)

• Christianity (studied in every year group)

This carefully planned progression ensures children build secure knowledge, develop respectful attitudes, and grow in their understanding of the diverse world around them.