At St. Ann’s Church of England Primary School, we believe that through teaching Religious education it encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning.  It challenges pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.

Religious education encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging.  It enables them to flourish individually within their communities and as citizens in a pluralistic society and global community.  Religious Education has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning.  It enables pupils to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.  It promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice.

Our vision is facilitated through allowing pupils to: 

• Think theologically and explore ultimate questions;
• Reflect critically on the truth claims of Christian belief;
• Develop the skills of analyse, interpret and apply the Bible text;
• Recognise that faith is commitment to a particular way of understanding and responding to God and the world;
• Analyse and explain the varied nature and traditions of the Christian community;
• Make well-informed responses to Christianity;
• Respect those of all faiths in their search for God;
• Reflect critically on areas of shared belief and practice between different faiths;
• Enrich and expand their understanding of core values;
• Reflect critically and express their views on the human quest;
• Become members of a wider community and take an active role in church.

Christian Distinctiveness

As an Anglican church school we provide the following experiences for our pupils: 

• encouragement of mutual respect based on Christian values, where pupils and teachers are able to talk openly and freely about their own personal beliefs and practice without fear of ridicule. 
• pupils of all backgrounds to have a safe place to explore the place of doubt and certainty in a maturing faith  
• pupils from Christian families to talk openly about their beliefs and values in lessons and to grow in their faith. 
• pupils from other faith backgrounds to understand and be encouraged in their faith.
• opportunities to explore the experience of the Church’s year. 
• visits to places of worship, especially the local parish Church and the Anglican Cathedral, to develop the understanding of the Church as a living community. 
• welcoming visitors from the local parish and the community to share their experience of Christian belief and life. 
• liaise with the local parish to enable these visits and links to occur 
• support for all pupils  
• develop a deeper understanding of Christianity of a world wide faith with a range of denominations to extend children’s appreciation and understanding of Worship in all its rich variety. 
• confident use of religious language. 
• a well-used set of Bibles in language that can be understood by the learners and examples of Bibles and prayer books from a variety of contexts. 
• access to Christian artefacts that are used with care, respect and confidence. 
• a reflection area in each classroom and several prayer spaces inside and outside school that can be used as a focus for prayer and silent reflection. 
• the facility to listen to contemporary and traditional hymns and spiritual songs. 
• pupils to make excellent and appropriate progress in their knowledge and understanding of Christianity.

Please take some time, with your child, to listen to some prayers that have been provided for our children and their families.