Religion & Worldviews
Subject led by Mrs Judy Bralee
Religion and Worldviews at Thorndown Primary School provokes challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It promotes the spiritual, moral and cultural development of children and provides an opportunity for personal reflection. It considers the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures. We aim to prepare children for the experiences and responsibilities of life and promote respect and tolerance of different faiths helping children to develop an understanding of the world in which we live.
Our Intent
Religion & Worldviews teaching provides children with the opportunity to access knowledge & information which contributes to a secure understanding of religious & non-religious views worldwide and enables individuals to become positive citizens within our multi-cultural society. Our intent is:
- To develop children’s core knowledge and understanding of beliefs, traditions and practices of the main religions of the world: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Consideration is also given to other non-religious perspective such as Humanism.
- For children to acquire a wide range of Religious & Worldviews specific vocabulary and have the knowledge and understanding of definitions to engage in active dialogue.
- The promotion of children’s spiritual, moral and cultural development.
- To encourage and develop respect and tolerance for different cultures and beliefs.
Implementation
The school follows the 2018 Cambridgeshire Agreed Syllabus. Within Foundation Stage the Early Years Framework is followed. Within Key Stage One teacher planned units are taught using the syllabus contents. In Key Stage 2, teacher planned units are being phased out as the Opening Worlds Curriculum is being implemented. This plan is supported by Cambridgeshire Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).
Opening Worlds has a thoroughness in knowledge-building with a broad scope of content that is meticulous in rigour. There is an intricate coherence and tight sequencing of lessons and outcomes, encouraging a high quality of learning. It is a highly inclusive approach that meets the needs of the all children and also make links with other curriculum areas especially History, Geography, and Art. It provides global and cultural breadth of knowledge, embracing wide diversity across ethnicity, gender, religion and community. Children will learn both substantive and disciplinary knowledge within the subject. This means they will learn from religion as well as about Religions and Worldviews.
Vocabulary is a key focus within the Opening Worlds Curriculum, supporting storytelling, exploration of concepts, encouraging discussions, and providing contextual learning. This approach directly builds the wide and secure language acquisition underpinning literacy and successful communication more broadly. Therefore, through this approach, children are supported and make progress across the curriculum. Additionally, the Opening Worlds approach develops children’s curiosity and enquiry about the world around them. This allows all children to enrich their own sense of identity and understand the values of diverse experiences and contributions of others different from themselves.
Religions and Worldviews is taught through topics which, where appropriate, connects with others areas of teachings and curriculum coverage. Children’s knowledge and understanding builds through the units and they gain more understanding of Religion and Worldviews developing religious literacy. We endeavour to use artefacts, visits places of worship, and have visitors from faith groups in school, providing quality experiences which are memorable and worthwhile, and support and enhance children in their learning and understanding of the world.
Please click here for:
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education
Core Vocabulary:
Year 3 Hinduism – Rama and Sita
Year 4 Christianity – Jesus (birth)
Year 4 Christianity – Jesus (Life)
Year 4 Christianity – Jesus (death and resurrection)
Year 4 Christianity – Jesus (teaching)
Impact
At Thorndown, Religion & Worldviews promotes the spiritual, moral and cultural development of all children. It helps them to prepare for the experiences and responsibilities of life, and helps to develop an understanding of the world in which we live. Learning of Religion and Worldviews helps children to grow in understanding of their world, to make connections and be empowered by their understanding.
The impact is seen in:
- High standards which are appropriate to age-related expectations
- Children’s reflections on their learning
- Children’s abilities to articulate key ideas from their learning and make connections and using key vocabulary
- Regular class discussion, helping children to develop a positive attitude and respect for people who hold different views to their own
- Children who develop respect for their community and the wider world
- Children who are increasingly confident and independent thinkers
- Children who increase their spiritual and moral development
Learning is measured against the age-related expectations within the syllabus through analysis of children’s achievement of learning intentions, acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and the application of skills across topics. This includes making connections among different religions, beliefs, values and traditions.
Assessment of children’s learning is achieved by the teacher, through book looks and more informally by something a pupil says, or does, which provides information and insight to the teacher.
Please click here for:
SMSC Education through Religion and Worldviews
Religion and World Views Policy 2023
Inspire Prayer Space
“it was really quiet; you could relax, pray or reflect how you want. It was cool.”
