At High Ash, a Christian school, Religious Education (RE) is a cornerstone of our curriculum and central to the spiritual and moral development of every child. Guided by the words of Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine”, we aim to nurture confident, compassionate learners who use their knowledge and values to make a positive difference in the world.

We follow the Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, delivered through the engaging, enquiry-led Jigsaw RE (Discovery RE) programme. This allows us to combine academic rigour with opportunities for deep reflection, empathy, and action.

Why Jigsaw RE (Discovery RE)?

Jigsaw RE supports our Christian ethos while introducing children to the beliefs, practices, and values of a range of world religions and non-religious worldviews. Each unit is built around a key question, encouraging children to explore their own beliefs and understand those of others through respectful, open-minded dialogue.

Our Approach to RE: Rooted in Christian Values, Open to All

• Christian Ethos at the Core
  As a Christian school, we give particular focus to Christianity throughout the curriculum. Through stories, teachings, and key festivals, pupils gain a meaningful understanding of Jesus’ life and message. One key example is our use of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which we reflect on as a model of advocacy, compassion, and social justice. This story inspires children to speak up for others, show kindness across differences, and “shine their light” through action.

• Living Out Our Faith
  We encourage pupils to put their faith into action. The message of the Good Samaritan reminds us that everyone is our neighbour. Through RE, collective worship, and wider school life, children are taught to stand up for fairness, challenge injustice, and be advocates for those in need, both locally and globally.

• Enquiry-Based and Thoughtful
  Each Jigsaw RE unit poses a key question that promotes discussion, reflection, and deeper understanding—fully in line with the aims of the Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus.

• Inclusive and Respectful Curriculum
  Pupils learn about major world religions—Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism—and non-religious worldviews such as Humanism. This ensures children develop a respectful understanding of the diverse society they live in, preparing them to live well with others.

• SMSC and Whole-Child Development
  RE supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, encouraging them to reflect on their values, actions, and responsibilities. This is reinforced through our use of Jigsaw PSHE, creating a joined-up approach to emotional and ethical learning.

Our Vision for RE

At High Ash, our vision for RE is to help every child “let their light shine” by developing their faith, empathy, and understanding of the world. Rooted in our Christian values, enriched by the Jigsaw RE programme, and aligned with the Buckinghamshire Agreed Syllabus, our RE curriculum equips children to be thoughtful learners, respectful citizens, and courageous advocates for others—shining their light in all they do.