Religion and World Views

Aims

Provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purposes of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human;
Develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, other religious traditions and non-religious worldviews such as Humanism. Nurture pupils’ awareness and understanding of beliefs.
Encourage pupils to develop their own sense of identity and belonging, to enable them to flourish individually within their communities and to act with personal responsibility.
Offer opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development, encouraging pupils to develop the ability to be still, to think deeply, to reflect and to appreciate times of stillness and silence;
Challenge pupils to discover and reflect on issues of truth, values, belief and faith.

Religion and World Views Right of Withdrawal

The Religion and World Views curriculum at Winchelsea School is inclusive and comprehensive. We place a high value on pupils having the confidence to speak openly about their own beliefs and to be accepting of the beliefs of others. The curriculum allows for the study of all world religions, faiths and beliefs.

Any parent/carer wishing to withdraw their child is encouraged to make an appointment with the Headteacher to discuss the matter. Parents/carers who wish to withdraw their child from any aspect of the school’s religion and world views curriculum should notify the Headteacher in writing.

Overview of Curriculum Area: Intent

Explorers	Pupils have the opportunity to engage appropriately for their level in ‘thought of the week’ sharing stories and experiences. Pupils have lots of opportunities to experience awe and wonder through regular community visits.
Discoverers	Pupils will benefit from learning opportunities which allow them to engage with religious, moral and spiritual stories and to name key religions, figures and symbolic objects. They will be able to name their own beliefs and recognise that others may have differing beliefs. They will be encouraged to retell religious, moral and spiritual stories.
Enquirers	Pupils will benefit from learning opportunities which allow them to retell religious, moral and spiritual stories, describe the key figures, symbols and practices of a variety of religious, humanist and secular beliefs. They will be encouraged to develop their understanding by asking questions about religious beliefs and practices and on a variety of world views.
Navigators	Pupils will benefit from learning opportunities which allow them to ask questions about religious beliefs and practices and on a variety of world views. They will learn about the impact of religious and secular beliefs on the lives of individuals and communities and be able to compare and contrast evidence of religious and secular beliefs from a range of sources.

Overview of Curriculum Area: Cross-curricular Links

Cross-Curricular Links	How does Religion and World Views support this?
English Skills	Development of religious specific vocabulary. Development of storytelling skills. Regular speaking and listening activities.
Maths Skills	Understand object permanence. Understand time.
SMSC and British Values	Social: Interact with and help each other and exploring the world around us. Moral: An understanding of feelings and emotions, identifying what is right and wrong. Spiritual: Evoke emotions of awe and wonder, learning to respect ourselves and others. Cultural: Learning about the life of religious figures, historical facts and religious festivals. British Values: Recognizing that Britain is a multi-cultural society, that discrimination is unacceptable and that all beliefs are valid.