Religious Education (RE)
At Grafton Primary School, Religious Education is about far more than learning about religions.
It is about helping children understand themselves, appreciate others and become thoughtful, respectful members of an increasingly diverse world.
Through exploring different faiths, worldviews and beliefs, children learn to ask thoughtful questions, listen with curiosity and engage with ideas that may be different from their own. We want every child to leave Grafton with the confidence to think critically, the empathy to understand others and the wisdom to recognise that our differences are something to value rather than to fear.
RE is not about telling children what to believe.
It is about giving them the knowledge, understanding and confidence to engage respectfully with the world around them.
A Place for Every Child
One of the things we value most in Religious Education is that every child feels represented.
Whether a child belongs to a faith community, follows no religion at all or is still discovering what they think about life's biggest questions, every viewpoint is welcomed with respect.
Our classrooms are places where children feel safe to ask questions, share their own experiences and learn from one another.
Very often, children discover that although our traditions may look different, many of our values are shared. Kindness, compassion, generosity, forgiveness, hope and love are found across many faiths and worldviews, helping children recognise our shared humanity alongside our rich diversity.
Learning Through Curiosity
We believe the best RE lessons begin with questions. Children are encouraged to wonder, investigate and think deeply.
- What do people believe?
- Why do these beliefs matter?
- How do beliefs influence the way people live?
- What can we learn from one another?
There are no "wrong" questions. Instead, children are encouraged to think critically, discuss respectfully and develop the confidence to explore ideas with an open mind. Sometimes children leave an RE lesson with more questions than answers — and we think that's a good thing.
Curiosity is where understanding begins.
Bringing Learning to Life
Religious Education is an active, creative subject.
Children explore sacred stories, artwork, architecture, music, celebrations and traditions from a wide range of faiths and worldviews. They learn through discussion, drama, storytelling, art, enquiry and reflection, discovering that beliefs can be expressed in many different ways.
Visits to places of worship allow children to experience what they have been learning first-hand, while visitors to school help bring different faiths and cultures to life through real conversations and lived experience.
These opportunities help children build understanding not simply by reading about communities, but by meeting the people who belong to them.
Every Child Included
Our curriculum is carefully designed so that every child can participate and succeed.
Children express their learning in different ways — through discussion, artwork, drama, collaborative activities and written reflection — allowing every learner to contribute confidently. Assessment focuses not simply on what children can remember, but on how they are developing as thoughtful learners: asking questions, making connections, considering different viewpoints and reflecting on their own ideas.
Every child has a voice. Every child's voice matters.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Religious Education extends well beyond weekly lessons.
Across the school year, children celebrate festivals from a range of faiths and cultures through assemblies, classroom activities and whole-school events. These shared experiences help children understand both the uniqueness of different traditions and the values that connect us all.
As our curriculum continues to grow, we are developing further opportunities for children to visit places of worship, meet members of different faith communities and experience the rich diversity that surrounds them here in London.
RE Through Our Values
Everything we do in Religious Education reflects the values that shape life at Grafton Primary School.
Love – Recognising our shared humanity and treating every person with dignity and compassion.
Creativity – Exploring beliefs through art, storytelling, music, discussion and reflection.
Kindness – Listening carefully, speaking respectfully and valuing the experiences of others.
Inclusion – Ensuring every child feels represented, respected and able to share their own perspective.
Resilience – Developing the confidence to ask challenging questions, consider different viewpoints and think critically.
Empowerment – Giving children the knowledge and understanding to engage thoughtfully with an increasingly diverse world.
When children leave Grafton Primary School, we hope they leave with much more than an understanding of different religions.
- We hope they leave with open minds.
- The confidence to ask thoughtful questions.
- The wisdom to listen before they judge.
- The curiosity to keep learning from others.
- And the understanding that although people may hold different beliefs, every person deserves to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity.
Because ultimately, Religious Education is not simply about learning about beliefs. It is about learning how to live well alongside one another.
Documents
Visit to London Central Mosque
2026
Visit to the London Central Mosque
