We are currently in the process of reviewing our Religious Education curriculum, having worked closely alongside local faith leaders, and using the Herts for Learning Religious Education framework to inform our planning. Our aim is to provide a rich, progressive and innovative curriculum where children learn about different faiths alongside each other rather than in isolation. Our Religious Education curriculum will focus on key themes and identify clear and specific learning goals for the end of each key phase.
Our statement of intent, implementation and impact is based very much on our ‘work in progress’ rather than established practices. We are, however, delighted with the progress that we have achieved over the past two terms. The school will continue to enrich our Religious Education curriculum with appropriate visits, visitors and cross-curricular opportunities, and can already evidence some improved outcomes within the subject for our children.
INTENT
At Skyswood, we aim to provide children with a curriculum where they will learn from and about religion and diversity, enabling our children to develop a greater understanding of the world around them. Our curriculum ensures that, by the end of Year 6, our children will have learnt about the six major world religions and other world views, and their roles in the local community and on a global scale. Our Religious Education curriculum reinforces many of our school values, such as respect and tolerance, understanding and acceptance. We aim to prepare children for life in a multicultural and diverse world. We encourage children to ask questions and to think carefully, curiously and deeply about questions that may not have an answer, or where people may have a difference of opinion. The design of our R.E. curriculum ensures that children are regularly exploring the different beliefs and practices of one religion alongside at least one other, comparing similarities and not just differences, and developing empathy and acceptance of each faith.
IMPLEMENTATION
Religious Education is taught at Skyswood for, on average, an hour per week. Where appropriate, units of study may be blocked in a way to maximise the impact of learning and take advantage of specific festivals and religious celebrations. We have developed our curriculum based on the eight key themes and agreed framework of the Herts for Learning syllabus. These themes permeate each key stage, with specific end point outcomes identified for each key stage.
- Sources of wisdom
- Identity and belonging
- Beliefs and practices
- Symbols and actions
- Human responsibility and values
- Justice and fairness
- Prayer, worship and reflection
- Ultimate questions
Within our early years, the children have a broad programme where they find out about religious festivals from a range of faiths. The key religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam are then studied within Key Stage 1, with Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism introduced alongside these religions in Key Stage 2.
The curriculum is enriched through a wide range of visits and visitors who share their own experiences and faiths, along with presentations from children and families within our own school community. Throughout their time at Skyswood, children will experience a number of off-site visits to different places of worship where they discover first hand, enriching their previous and subsequent learning within the classroom. Visits include St Albans Abbey and local churches in Key Stage 1, along with Bhaktivedanta Manor, a Hindu temple, and a Gudwara and Mosque in Key Stage 2. Our themed approach to Religious Education and identified focus on key festivals is further enriched through school assemblies and whole school celebrations of religious festivals.
IMPACT
Our Religious Education curriculum enables our children to fully engage with others in a multi-cultural and ever-changing world, where individuals and communities may differ, but ultimately aim to live together in harmony, showing tolerance and respect for one another. Our Religious Education curriculum ensures that our children are well informed and are able to learn in a safe, non-bias learning environment. Children are able to openly express their own views and beliefs whilst also feeling empowered to develop these as they grow. It is our aim that children leave Year 6 with a strong understanding of the values that contribute towards positive and inclusive communities and a strong knowledge of the six major world faiths, along with an undertanding and acceptance that many people make positive contributions to our communities and society whilst not necessarily following a particular faith.