Religious Education
Intent
It is our intent for the Religious Education element of our school curriculum to engage, inspire, challenge, and encourage pupils. We explore different religious beliefs, values and traditions that are followed in our multi-cultural society. We will also equip pupils with other non-religious or worldviews which may, or may not, reflect their own beliefs and those represented by our local community specifically.
All classes in the school follow the programmes of study from the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus.
Through covering the Worcestershire agreed syllabus, it is intended that R.E. lessons will provide pupils and staff opportunities to:
- Consider ‘big’ questions and reflect on such questions in order to better understand their own beliefs and the beliefs of others – whether faith based, non-faith based or humanist.
- To encourage pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging, in order to flourish within
- Communities, as responsible citizens in society and global communities.
- Know about and understand a range of religious and world views – including humanist views
- Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews
- Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews.
RE is usually taught for one session each week across the school or lessons may be blocked when appropriate. Lessons in RE are theme-led and structured around key questions from the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus.
Implementation
At Abbey Park Schools Federation, we follow and implement our curriculum by following the guidelines of the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus 2020 – 2025.
Our curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils study, in line with the Worcestershire Agreed Syllabus, the religious traditions of the following groups:
- Christians
- Muslims
- Jews
- Hindus
We aim to ensure that the RE curriculum is challenging, dynamic and relevant to pupils of all ages. Our approach is implemented by ensuring pupils and staff have opportunities to:
- Learn and study one religion at a time through ‘thematic’ units. These units build upon prior learning and knowledge
- Learn and study RE weekly
- Learn and encounter core concepts in religions and beliefs in a coherent and logical manner
- To understand and respect the importance of religious beliefs in the world today.
- We implement RE within the EYFS areas of personal, social, and emotional development and understanding of the world.
- Within the Early Years, children develop their emerging moral and cultural awareness of their community.
Our curriculum is delivered with respect and sensitivity. We encourage and promote teaching in Religious Education that inspires individuals to share their views and experiences.
Impact
Our vision and aims mean pupils respect all faiths and beliefs. We provide and develop pupil’s confidence to celebrate and share their own views and beliefs. Pupils make links between their own lives and those of others within their community and in the wider world. Our curriculum continually develops and contributes to our pupils spiritual, moral, social, and cultural understanding as they move through the school.
