The REQM is a prestigious national award which recognises schools that demonstrate outstanding teaching and learning in Religious Education. Schools undergo a rigorous process including a detailed self-evaluation, scrutiny of pupils’ work, lesson observations, and professional dialogue with an external assessor. Achieving Gold standard places St George’s among the very best schools in the country for RE provision.

This award celebrates not only the quality of teaching, but also the impact RE has on pupils’ thinking, attitudes, and understanding of the world.

🌍 Living Our Vision Through RE

At St George’s, our RE curriculum is rooted in our vision:
“Be Brave. Be Great. Be You.”

Our RE aims — Be curious. Be informed. Be reflective. — are brought to life every day in classrooms across the school. The REQM assessor recognised how deeply this vision is embedded:

“The aims of the RE curriculum… clearly mirror the school’s vision and values, which include promoting respect for all and ensuring all stereotypes and any form of discrimination are challenged.”

Our classrooms are places where pupils feel safe to explore big questions, share ideas, and respectfully challenge one another:

“Classrooms are ‘safe spaces’ where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Pupils challenge inequality when they see this in school or in the wider world.”

📚 High-Quality Learning and Deep Thinking

The report highlights the richness and depth of our RE curriculum:

“A selection of different media are used… artefacts, film, photographs, music, arts, visits and visitors… to develop conceptual knowledge and understanding across all year groups.”

“Each unit of work has been planned around two big questions… with a focus on deeper thinking.”

Pupils are not only knowledgeable — they are thoughtful and reflective:

“Pupils are curious about the world and this desire to learn leads to high levels of engagement.”

“They have shared enthusiastically what they have learnt and talk about how RE informs their own lives.”

For example:

“One Year 5 pupil explained how learning about Hindu Karma helped him to consider his own decisions in life.”
“A Year 6 pupil could explain how Christian beliefs about looking after the world influence actions such as recycling.”

🌎 Respect, Diversity and Understanding

Our diverse school community is a strength, and RE plays a vital role in helping pupils understand the world around them:

“Pupils come from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds… religious literacy is developing very well.”

“Diversity issues within and across religious and non-religious worldviews are clearly exemplified by pupils.”

Pupils demonstrate a mature and nuanced understanding:

“A pupil could explain how beliefs, culture and background may influence how and why individuals practise their faith differently.”

👩‍🏫 Excellence in Teaching and Leadership

The award also recognises the strength of teaching and leadership in RE:

“The quality of teaching at St George’s is excellent.”

“The leadership and management of RE is excellent… staff are supported to provide consistently high standards of education.”

Our RE leader was praised for their passion and commitment:

“The RE Subject Leader demonstrates a love of learning… and a commitment to providing stimulating, creative and engaging lessons.”

⭐ A Whole-School Success

This achievement reflects the dedication of our entire school community — staff, pupils, governors, and families. RE is a subject that brings our values to life, helping children to understand themselves, others, and the wider world.

As the report concludes, RE at St George’s is:

“An integral part of the school ethos.”

We are delighted that our work has been recognised at the highest level and remain committed to continuing to develop and strengthen RE for all our pupils.