Religion and Worldviews Curriculum Overview
Intent: Why Do We Teach This?
The Religion and Worldviews curriculum at our school is designed to give all children, no matter their background, a thorough understanding of different religions and worldviews. Here's why:
- Understanding Sacrifice: We explore the idea of giving up something for others, a common theme in many beliefs. This helps children understand different motivations and impacts on society.
- Knowledge and Meaning: We look at how religions and beliefs influence the search for truth and meaning in life, shaping human behaviour and ideas about right and wrong.
- Human Context: We study how people's beliefs and actions are influenced by their time, place, and social context, helping children understand diversity and different perspectives.7
What We Aim to Achieve
- Reflecting Diversity: Our curriculum helps children see themselves and others in the lessons, learning about various beliefs and cultures around the world.
- Decolonising Content: We ensure our teaching materials are inclusive and represent diverse perspectives meaningfully.
- Skills Development: Children learn to think and discuss like theologians, philosophers, and social scientists, gaining skills to talk about religion and belief respectfully and knowledgeably.
- Curiosity and Open-mindedness: We encourage children to be curious about others' beliefs and reflect on their own, fostering a thoughtful and open-minded approach.
Implementation: How We Teach This
- Building on What They Know: We always connect new information to what children have already learned, helping them understand new concepts in a broader context.
- Gradual Introduction of Concepts: We introduce complex ideas step by step, making sure children understand the basic concepts before moving on to more advanced topics.
- Personal Reflection: We give children regular opportunities to discuss their own and others' beliefs, helping them understand different perspectives and challenge their preconceptions.
Connecting Ideas
- Thematic Threads: We use recurring themes to connect different aspects of religious and non-religious worldviews, helping children see the bigger picture.
Encouraging Writing
- Extended Writing: Throughout the curriculum, we provide opportunities for children to write like theologians, philosophers, or social scientists, such as composing balanced arguments on complex topics.
Impact: How We Measure Progress
- Progression Model: We ensure children are making progress by carefully sequencing the curriculum. If they're keeping up, they're progressing.
- Formative Assessment: We prioritise regular assessments to ensure children understand the material and address any gaps in knowledge.
Assessment Methods
- Lesson Questioning: Teachers check understanding during lessons to fill gaps immediately.
- Pupil Conferencing: Teachers and school leaders talk with children about their learning, ensuring they connect new knowledge with what they've previously learned.
- Post-Learning Quizzes: End-of-unit quizzes help us understand what children remember and identify any gaps.
- Pre-Learning Quizzes: Before starting a new unit, we assess prior knowledge to fill any gaps, ensuring children are ready for new content.
Practical Examples
- Local Context: We adapt the curriculum to reflect our local community. For example, in Year 2, we visit a local church to see evidence of lived religion.
- Visits and Visitors: We enhance learning with visits from local religious leaders and trips to places of worship, helping children understand different beliefs and practices first hand.
By maintaining a well-structured curriculum and using effective assessment methods, we aim to ensure children develop a deep, lasting understanding of religion and worldviews.