Recognising outstanding learning in religious education

The process has challenged us further; we have already put in place a number of new ideas, such as the pupils planning and even teaching lessons. We have also renewed some ideas which had been allowed to slip for a year or two, such as developing closer community links and there are some exciting things happening as a result. You have made us take a fresh look at ourselves, through a different lens. Although we have gained a gold award, the criteria still provide lots of creative pointers to move ourselves forward even further.

I like the atmosphere of the lesson. I feel I can say my opinion on serious topics without worrying people will judge me.

I like RE because it gives you a chance to learn something new everyday.

We respect and ask questions that don’t make fun of other people’s religions.

It was great to have time to think about RE and wonderful to be able to discuss our department. The opportunity for this kind of professional dialogue about RE was a rare treat for me and it was a pleasure to be able to spend time thinking about our practice with you.

Work is often based around ‘Questions of Wonder’ which are introduced at the start of a topic and returned to on a regular basis as well as when the topic is being completed. This has led to some very interesting questions from pupils, leading on to interesting discussion work. Two in particular were recorded in the lesson observation notes I was shown. ‘Who made God?’ and ‘I don’t know how God went into an incarnation and stayed as normal God.’