R.E
What is R.E?
Religious Education helps children explore big ideas about life, belonging, celebrations, and the ways people make choices about how to live. Using the Living Difference IV syllabus, children begin with their own experiences before discovering how people from different religions and worldviews understand these same ideas. RE is not about promoting any religion – it supports children to understand themselves, respect others, and make sense of the diverse world around them.
Why do we teach R.E?
We teach RE so children can understand themselves, appreciate others, and feel confident navigating the world they live in. By starting with personal experience and then exploring how different people celebrate, believe, and find meaning, children learn to Belong through empathy, Believe in their ideas and strengths, and Achieve through growing knowledge, confidence, and cultural awareness. RE helps children express themselves, value what matters to others, and build skills that prepare them for future learning, relationships, and opportunities.
How we teach R.E
At Vermont School, we teach RE through practical, engaging, and reflective activities that help children feel calm, confident, and connected. Using our three-year Living Difference IV programme, pupils explore ideas like Belonging, Community, Love, and the Special through stories, celebrations, discussion, and sensory experiences. Lessons begin with children’s own experiences before exploring how different religions and worldviews understand these ideas. This approach supports teamwork, empathy, communication, and self-regulation, helping pupils build confidence and strong relationships. RE reflects our school values: children Belong in a supportive community, Believe in their abilities, and Achieve through meaningful, hands-on learning that deepens their understanding of themselves and others.
A copy of the Hampshire Living Difference IV plans can be found at the link below: