INTENT
At Gwladys Street Community Primary and Nursery School, we believe that it is important for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. The aim of Religious Education in our school is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Religious Education is taught throughout the school in such a way as to reflect the overall aims, values, and philosophy. It plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PSHE, in promoting social awareness and understanding in our children. We encourage our pupils to ask questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences. We include and promote British values, ensuring that children are aware of their rights and responsibilities as UK citizens. Our curriculum is designed to encourage creativity, imagination, enquiry, debate, discussion and independence.
IMPLEMENTATION
Gwladys Street has adopted the scheme Opening Worlds in Key Stage 2, which is now in its fourth year. This is organised so that RE links to the Geography and History topics covered, ensuring children are able to understand cultural and religious beliefs of the peoples’ that are studied. This approach ensures children understand religious stories and teachings of different religions.
A Key Stage version of Opening Worlds has not yet been published, so this year we will trial the Kapow scheme in RE as we have already adopted this in years 1 and 2 for Geography and History. Kapow also provides materials which can be used in EYFS.
We value the religious background of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences with others freely. All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community. We acknowledge that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils. We promote teaching in Religious Education that stresses open enquiry and first-hand experiences wherever possible for both staff and children. Religious festivals and stories are celebrated throughout the year during assemblies and visitors invited into school.
IMPACT
The children at Gwladys Street Community Primary and Nursery School enjoy learning about a range of religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. As such, R.E. is invaluable in an ever changing and shrinking world.