Skills and processes in RE

The following skills are central to religious education and should be reflected in learning opportunities at all key stages.

a) Investigation – this includes:

• asking relevant questions
• knowing how to use different types of religious texts as a way of gathering information and how to approach those texts in a critical manner
• knowing what may constitute evidence for understanding religion(s)
• observing and listening

b) Interpretation – this includes:

• the ability to draw meaning from artefacts, works of art, poetry and symbolism
• the ability to interpret religious language
• the ability to suggest meanings of religious texts

c) Reflection – this includes:

• the ability to reflect on feelings, relationships, experience, ultimate questions, beliefs and practices

d) Empathy – this includes:

• the ability to consider the thoughts, feelings, experiences, attitudes, beliefs and values of others
• developing the power of imagination to identify feelings such as love, wonder, forgiveness and sorrow
• the ability to see the world through the eyes of others and to see issues from their point of view

e) Evaluation – this includes:

• the ability to debate issues of religious significance with reference to evidence and argument
• weighing the respective claims of self-interest, consideration for others, religious teaching and individual conscience

f) Analysis – this includes:

• distinguishing between opinion, belief and fact;
• distinguishing between the features of different religions

g) Synthesis – this includes:

• linking significant features of religion together in a coherent pattern
• connecting different aspects of life into a meaningful whole.

h) Application – this includes:

• making the association between religions and individual, community, national and international life;
• identifying key religious values and their interplay with secular ones

i) Expression – this includes:

• the ability to explain concepts, rituals and practices
• the ability to identify and articulate matters of deep conviction and concern and to respond to religious issues through a variety of media

j) Collaboration – this includes:

• the ability to work together and learn from each other

© Cornwall Agreed Syllabus 2014