Religious Education


At Edgar Sewter Primary School we use an enquiry based approach to develop children’s learning in R.E. We strive to promote, and model, attitudes of self-awareness, respect for all, open mindless, appreciation and wonder. We do this by using a programme called ‘The Emmanuel Project’. The Emmanuel Project uses big questions as central to its approach. We frame a rich and precise question for each line of enquiry. These questions are then explored in many different ways.  

The Emmanuel Project meets the requirements of the new Suffolk Agreed Syllabus 2023. Children will investigate Christianity and six other religions: Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Humanism.  Our children are able to make links and connections using the following threads: belonging, believing, prayer and worship, celebrations, stories and books, symbols and artefacts and leaders and teachers. 

By using an enquiry-based model, children’s critical thinking skills can be developed, their motivation to learn increased, and their knowledge and understanding of, and empathy with people and their beliefs, religious or otherwise, will be enhanced. Our approach adopts the philosophy that children are free to make their own choices and decisions concerning religion and belief. R.E does not try to persuade but rather inform and develop the skills with which evaluation can take place.


At Edgar Sewter Primary School we have a close connection with Halesworth United Reformed Church. Our close connection allows us to regularly meet to share ‘Open the Book’ assemblies and join together to celebrate festivals such; Harvest, Christmas and Easter.