Intent, Implementation and Impact of our Curriculum-Religious Education
Intent:
At Hanslope Primary School, we believe that it is important for the children to make links between ‘believing,’ ‘behaving’ and ‘belonging’ to a religion. By reflecting and responding to their learning, we feel that the children will make important connections to the world around them. The aim of Religious Education in our school is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of the principal religions represented in Great Britain. We endeavour to encourage the children to appreciate the ways that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour, develop their 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 to reflect the overall aims, values and philosophy of the school, through such topics such as; ‘Do Religious Symbols Mean the Same to Everyone?’, ‘Do Clothes Express Beliefs?’, ‘Does the Community of the Mosque Help Muslims Live Better Lives?’
Religious Education plays an important role, along with all other curriculum areas, particularly PHSE in promoting social awareness and understanding in our children. We encourage our children 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 British citizens.
Our curriculum is designed to encourage imagination, independence, creativity, enquiry, debate and discussion.
IMPLEMENTATION:
We use the Milton Keynes Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2017 as the basis for our curriculum. At Hanslope School, we also use the Oxford Diocese Scheme to support planning and the implementation of the Milton Keynes syllabus.
The following religions are our main focus for learning. However, children will learn about other religions when it is appropriate to do so.
- Christianity
- Islam
- Judaism
- Hinduism
From the syllabus it is required that:
Early Years: Experience a variety of religious concepts, particularly those under the Early Learning Goals relating to ‘People, Culture and Communities.’
Key Stage One: Christianity, Judaism and reference to other faiths where appropriate.
Key Stage Two: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and reflection on faiths and topics covered in Key Stage One.
Our children and staff have a range of religious beliefs and backgrounds. We value the religious beliefs of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their experiences with others openly. All religions and their communities are treated with sensitivity and respect. We also value the links that are, and can be made between home, school and a faith community. We are extremely lucky that the vicar from our local church ‘St James the Great,’ visits us regularly. ‘The Bridgebuilder Trust’ leads regular assemblies to support our religious and values education. Faith visitors from a range of religious communities support the delivery of the received Religious Education curriculum when possible.
IMPACT:
The children at Hanslope Primary School enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or not choose to follow a religion. Through their Religious Education learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in the community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. As such, we believe Religious Education is invaluable to our pupils’ understanding of the world.
Link Governor: Nigel Stacey and Frances Duck
Subject Leader: Miss Kathryn Foster and Mrs Catherine Jackson