Religious Education

RE Vision

At West Byfleet Junior School we recognise that an effective and stimulating approach to Religious Education (RE) will provide children with the tools to navigate a culturally diverse society with respect, integrity and understanding.

Our children are entering into an increasingly global society, where religion continues to play a great cultural significance in the daily lives and running of most countries; from the festivals they celebrate, to the rules that govern them. An understanding of the principle religions of the world will enable children to navigate both the diverse cultures within their own communities and the varying cultural practices of the world, with sensitivity, respect and understanding.

Religious Education is important for preparing students for their future lives; it offers a unique opportunity to study the lives of real people – their friends, neighbours and fellow citizens. We endeavour to equip all our pupils with the tools to achieve a bright future as they navigate and interact with the world around them.

RE Leader - Fiona Francis

I believe that RE is a unique subject that allows children to study and explore people. Throughout their lives, children will interact with individuals from all manners of backgrounds and will be expected to do so with respect and courtesy. A person’s religion is often an integral part of their identity and without having an understanding of their religion, we are missing a key part of what makes up their personality. Our children are entering an increasingly global and diverse society, and through the study or RE we can prepare them to embrace the joy of diversity as respectful global citizens.

I have led RE as a subject for two years before taking on this post at West Byfleet Junior School. I believe in creating a curriculum that allows children to express their understanding in a variety of ways. Lessons should be engaging and offer children opportunities to enquire and understand RE as a discipline and how we come to know the information about people’s faiths that we present to them.

I believe in liaising and making links with individuals and leaders of different faiths so that we can offer children a curriculum that is an accurate representation of the religions that we study. Children should explore the nuance in religion across geographical borders and through time, with the majority of lessons portraying religions in a contemporary context. 

I look forward to working with a new team and work together to create an outstanding curriculum that is informative, engaging and provides children the tools to succeed in their bright futures.