Religious Education 

At Dunalley Primary School we use the Discovery RE scheme alongside the Gloucestershire syllabus to provide an exciting enquiry based RE curriculum. This enables us to offer an engaging curriculum that prepares our pupils for life within our school and the wider community.

Through our curriculum, pupils learn RE in sufficient depth so that they remember what they have learnt and can apply this to different religions and practices, especially in Britain today. Planning is detailed and sequenced to ensure pupils develop secure long-term understanding, building on what they have learnt before.

The Gloucestershire agreed syllabus for RE states that,

    ‘The principal aim of religious education is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils 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.’ 

The syllabus includes units framed by key questions to deliver RE and enquiry is structured around three aims which reflect the principal aim already mentioned. The three aims endeavour to…

  • make sense of a range of religious and non-religious beliefs
  • understand the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs
  • make connections between religious and non-religious beliefs, concepts, practices and ideas studied

Discovery RE has a different enquiry for every half-term focusing on one religion at a time. The aim is to deepen children’s critical thinking skills through greater subject knowledge and also to allow their own spiritual development.

Each enquiry has a big enquiry question which is explored with a 4-step process:

Step 1 Engagement How can I relate to the underpinning concept in my own world?

During step 1, the children at Dunalley start from their own experience to ensure understanding of the concept being studied before moving into investigating that concept in depth from the point of view of the chosen religion.

Step 2 Investigation What do I need to learn about the religion in order to answer the big question?

At this stage the children gain the subject knowledge needed to assist their thinking about the key question. The acquisition of the factual information about the religion /belief system being studied is important, but not as an end in itself.

Step 3 Evaluation How well can I apply this knowledge to the big question using critical thinking/evaluation skills?

In Step 3 of every topic, children complete an assessment activity to evaluate the question again in light of their new knowledge. In some lessons this is written and in some it is oral.

Step 4 Expression Can I express what difference this enquiry has made to me, my thinking and my starting point?

Children are taken back to Step 1, their own experience, to reflect on how this enquiry might have influenced their own starting points and beliefs.

This 4 step process links well with the enquiry process outlined in the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus

The Discovery RE model for Key Stages 1 and 2, of studying Christianity plus one other religion in each year group, means both religions have multiple enquiries per year. This ensures that children revisit prior learning for both religions throughout the year to build on the previous enquiries, and Christmas and Easter enquiries are built on year-on-year.  Each unit has clear links to SMSC development and British Values.

 

For full details please read the agreed syllabus RE-Syllabus 2017. 

OPEN DAY for 2024 Starters

20 Nov 2023

Another OPEN DAY for September 2024 Starters will take place on January 9th 2024 at 9.30am to 10.30am - please just come along!
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OPAL Bingo - Winners

15 Nov 2023

Coming Soon !
Another OPAL Bingo opportunity

OPAL Platinum Award

18 Apr 2023

Awarded Platinum
This award means that Dunalley primary has some of the best lunchtime play opportunities in the country for all their pupils.

Sports Day

24 Mar 2023

Sports Day 
KS2 - 11th July 
KS1 - 13th July

OPAL Bingo

31 Jan 2023

The competition has started, which class can conmplete their OPAL Bingo card?

Parent Walkthrough - Read, Write Inc KS1

13 Jan 2023

Parents/Carers are invited to our Walk through on Thursday 2nd February from 9am to 9.30am

Healthy Schools Award

16 Dec 2022

We are thrilled to have been awarded the Healthy Schools Award

Year 6 Art

21 Nov 2022

Our Year 6 children have prodiced some fabulous art work.

Call of the Wild

04 Oct 2022

Our Year 6 residential week is underway.The children are having a fabulous time.

Y6 - Secondary School Open Days

16 Sep 2022

Over the coming few weeks there are a number of open days in the local area that we would like to make you aware of.
https://dunalleyps.schoolzineplus.co.uk/secondary-schools-open-days