Over St. John's CE Primary SchoolReligious Education
Religious Education Intent
At Over St John’s, our Religious Education curriculum is intentionally shaped by our theologically rooted Christian vision: “Let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16).
We believe every child is created by God with dignity, purpose and a unique light to shine. In a community marked by significant deprivation, our teaching of RE plays a vital role in nurturing hope, confidence and aspiration so that all pupils — including the most vulnerable — can grow in the love of God and be prepared for their future.
Our RE curriculum flows directly from the theological conviction expressed in Matthew 5:16: that every child carries a God‑given light which deserves to be recognised, nurtured and allowed to shine. RE helps children discover this light by exploring Christian belief, encountering diverse worldviews, and engaging deeply with questions of meaning, identity, justice and community.
Through RE, pupils become confident, reflective and respectful learners who can articulate theological ideas, compare worldviews, and make informed and reasoned moral judgements. Spiritual development is embedded throughout the curriculum using the Windows–Mirrors–Doors approach, enabling pupils to encounter, reflect and act on big ideas.
The curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced, ensuring that all pupils — including disadvantaged and SEND learners — know more, remember more and can apply their learning in increasingly complex ways. Adaptive practice, vocabulary pre-teaching, alternative recording methods and strong pastoral support ensure dignity and equity for every child.
RE at Over St John’s is distinctive: it is theologically rich, contextually responsive, spiritually formative and rooted in our Christian vision. It nurtures wisdom, hope, dignity and community, enabling every child to flourish and shine their light within school and beyond.
Our RE curriculum is designed to meet the content requirements of the Religious Education Statement of Entitlement and the Cheshire West and Chester agreed syllabus. There is a set amount of time specified in the agreed syllabus for each religion, which is followed within our long term plan. Our curriculum is also supported and enhanced by Diocesan planning for Christianity and World Religions, Cheshire West and Chester lesson resources and the Understanding Christianity Resource.
Within our school, Reception and Key Stage One children are taught in single age classes, whereas Key Stage Two children are taught across three mixed year group classes and our curriculum is designed to reflect this. Reception and Key Stage One children are taught a single year rolling programme of RE, whereas in Key Stage 2, the teaching of RE is delivered over a two year rolling programme.
Please click on the links below to access our current RE Subject Map and the RE Progression of Skills and Knowledge document.