“In reality, there are as many religions as there are individuals.”

Mahatma Gandhi

LIVING DIFFERENCE IV

Valentine Primary School adopts the ‘Living Difference IV’ (2021) Agreed Syllabus for schools in Hampshire, IOW, Portsmouth and Southampton. Informed by educational research, it has been developed to its current iteration since 2004.

APPROACH TO TEACHING RE

At Valentine, our approach to teaching Religious Education is guided by Living Difference IV, which emphasises a thoughtful, child-centred exploration of religion and worldviews. This syllabus encourages pupils to engage deeply with religious and philosophical concepts through a structured cycle of enquiry. Beginning with their own experiences, children are invited to Communicate and Apply what they know, then Inquire into religious traditions and Contextualise these within real-world examples, before Evaluating the relevance and value for themselves and others​. This method ensures that learning in RE is not about rote memorisation, but about meaningful engagement and personal reflection.

By following Living Difference IV, our pupils are not only developing knowledge of religious practices, beliefs, and traditions, but they are also growing in their understanding of culture, diversity, and identity. Children explore what it means to live with a religious or non-religious orientation to life, appreciating how different worldviews shape how people think, act, and connect with others​. This rich exploration enhances pupils' ability to discern, respect, and value a range of perspectives, which has a profound impact on their personal development, empathy, and sense of global citizenship.

DEPTH AND EXPLORATION OF MULTI-FAITHS

Over time, as the curriculum spirals and revisits key concepts with increasing complexity, pupils’ understanding of both religious belief and cultural context deepens. They are introduced to diverse traditions including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Humanism, ensuring a broad and inclusive perspective​. Through this approach, Valentine fosters thoughtful, open-minded learners who are well-prepared to thrive in a multicultural world.

Throughout our lesson plans, and connected lesson visuals, pupils are presented with layered content that builds understanding over time. We know that pupils presented with disconnected information in lessons cannot build fluency or apply the knowledge and skills in meaningful contexts.

The RE curriculum at Valentine is a spiral curriculum, the spiral approach seeks to bring about a coherent and integrated approach to religious education that deepens and broadens over time. To support this approach, units of learning are taught as concepts through the cycle of enquiry.

CYCLES OF ENQUIRY