What are ‘Big Questions’ in R.E?

Big Questions guide pupils’ learning throughout each topic. They help introduce new topics and give an overview of the learning objectives. Pupils use Big Questions to reflect on their understanding, think critically and see how their knowledge grows over time.

We use Big Questions in RE by:

  • Introducing them at the beginning of a topic to focus learning.
  • Revisiting them during lessons to discuss new ideas and key words.
  • Reflecting on them at the end of lessons, asking: “Did we learn anything today that can help us answer our Big Question?
  • Review them at the end of a topic.
Nursery – How can we be friends and help each other?
Reception –  Why did Jesus send the Holy Spirit to help us?
Year 1 – What can happen when people open their hearts to the Holy Spirit?
Year 2 – How can welcoming the Holy Spirit change people’s hearts and the way they live?
Year 3 – How do Bible stories about the disciples help Christians understand the Mass today?
Year 4 -How do the life and faith of Peter help us understand the Church and its mission today?
Year 5 – How does the Holy Spirit help Christians live as disciples of Jesus?
Year 6 – How do Scripture and the lives of Christians help us understand and witness to the Resurrection of Jesus?
Nursery – What is Easter?
Reception – Why do we celebrate Easter?
Year 1 – Why is Lent a time for making a new start with God and with each other?
Year 2 How does Jesus show forgiveness, and how does this help us prepare for Easter?
Year 3 – How does Jesus share his love with us through the Eucharist and the Mass?
Year 4 – How do Jesus’ stories and actions show us how to forgive others and live with love during Lent and Holy Week?
Year 5 – How does Lent help us reflect on our choices and grow closer to God?
Year 6 – How do Jesus’ actions during Holy Week challenge us to understand power, love, and what it truly means to follow him?

Nursery – How can we show love to everyone like Jesus?

Reception – How can we show God’s love to everyone, especially people who need our help?”

Year 1 – How can we share Jesus’ love and shine his light to help others?

Year 2 – Why and how do we show love and say sorry?

Year 3 – What do Jesus’ teachings, parables, and miracles show us about God’s Kingdom?

Year 4 – How does Jesus show he is a servant Messiah and how is this still evident today through the Church?

Year 5 – How do the Beatitudes and Jesus’ teachings help us live a good and loving life?

Year 6 – How do the signs in John’s Gospel help us understand who Jesus is and how God works in our lives today?

Nursery – Who is baby Jesus?

Reception – Why do we celebrate baby Jesus at Christmas?

Year 1 – Why do we celebrate Mary during Advent?

Year 2 – How and why is Advent celebrated?

Year 3 – How do we celebrate Mass and prepare for Jesus during Advent?

Year 4 –Why do we remember prophets during Advent?

Year 5  – Why is David important in the Bible and still today?

Year 6 – How does the Bible show the importance of women?

Nursery – Who loves us and looks after our world?

Reception – How is God special?

Year 1 – How do we know God made our world and how can we care for it?

Year 2 – What can we learn from the story of Noah?

Year 3 – Why did God create the world and how should we show stewardship?

Year 4 – What can we learn from Abraham?

Year 5- How can God’s commandments and our virtues help us live good and happy lives?

Year 6- “What can we learn from the second Creation story, original sin, and stewardship about living in friendship with God, others, and the world?