The Alwoodley Vision for Religious Education

At Alwoodleys our vision is to develop children's skills of enquiry, reasoned argument and reflection.

In school, we follow the national guidance issued by the R.E Council in 2013 and use the Leeds Syllabus 'Believing and Belonging' 2015 - 2020 for teaching Religious Education.

Religious education contributes dynamically to children and young people’s education in school by provoking challenging questions about; the meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. Our world is enriched by a wide and profound diversity of cultures and beliefs. We as human beings are strengthened and empowered by learning from each other.

Engaging and stimulating religious education helps to nurture informed and resilient responses to misunderstanding, stereotyping and division. It offers a place of integrity and security within which difficult or ‘risky’ questions can be tackled within a safe but challenging context. 

In R.E pupils discover, explore and consider different answers to these questions, in local, national and global contexts, through learning about and from religions and other world views. They learn to appraise the value of wisdom from different sources, to develop and express their insights in response, and to agree or disagree respectfully.

Teaching should equip pupils with knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and other world views, enabling them to develop their ideas, values and identities. It should develop in pupils an aptitude for dialogue so that they can participate positively in society with its diverse understanding of life from religious and other world views.

Pupils should gain and deploy the skills needed to; understand, interpret and evaluate texts, sources of wisdom and authority and other evidence. They learn to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences, while respecting the right of others to differ. 

R.E Curriculum

In school, the curriculum is based on the Local Agreed Syllabus for RE in Calderdale , Kirklees and Leeds , September 2019. 

The syllabus has three aims for pupils:

1.  To investigate the beliefs and practices of religions and other world views;

2.  To investigate how religions and other world views address questions of meaning, purpose and value;

3.  To investigate how religions and other world views influence morality, identity and diversity. 

The syllabus requires schools to focus o specific core religions at each key stage: Christianity and Islam from KS1, adding Sikhism and Judaism at KS2 and then Buddhism and Hinduism at KS3.  In addition, other (non-religious) world views must be included as part of the curriculum at each key stage. 

To support delivery of the syllabus, we encourage and promote teaching and learning through using ‘Philosophy For Children’ (P4C), also known as a 'Community of Enquiry'. This is a useful way of engaging pupils in their own learning and developing their critical and dialogical skills.

The RE syllabus units covered by each year group are outlined below;

EYFS

Christianity, Islam and non-religious approaches   

1 - Where do we live?

2 - How are special times celebrated?

3 – What makes a good helper?

4 – What can we see in our wonderful world?

5 - Who and what are special to us? 

Key Stage One

Christianity, Islam and non-religious approaches   

Year 1 - Units of work

1 - Which books and stories are special?

2 - How do we celebrate special events?

3 – What does it mean to belong to a church or a mosque?

4 – How and why do we care for others?

5 - Who brought messages about God and what did they say?

Year 2 - Units of work

1 - How is life welcomed?

2 – How can we make good choices?

3 – How and why do people pray?

4 – How can we look after the planet?

5 - What did Jesus teach and how did he live? 

Key Stage Two

Christianity, Islam and extends to include; Judaism and Sikhism and non-religious approaches  

Year 3 - Units of work

1 – How do Jews remember Abraham and Moses?

2 – What is Spirituality and how do people experience this?

3 – What do Christians believe about a good life?

4 – What do the creation stories tell us about the world? 

Additional Unit - 5 - Who can inspire us? 

Year 4 - Units of work

1 - How are important events remembered?

2 – What faiths are shared in our community?

3 - How do the Five Pillars guide Muslims?

4 – Why are Gurus at the heart of Sikh belief and practice?  

Year 5 - Units of work

1 – Why are some places and journeys special?

2 – What  values are shown in codes for living? 

3 – Should we forgive others?

4 - What do Christians believe about the old and new covenant? 

Year 6 - Units of work

1 – How do Sikh's show commitment?

2 – What do Christians believe about Jesus' death and resurrection? 

3- How does growing up bring responsibilities? 

4 – How do Jews remember the Kings and Prophets in worship and life? 

SMSC in Religious Education (R.E )

SMSC stands for; spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

The Spiritual aspect of SMSC is embedded in our lessons, with pupils often being given opportunity to reflect on how the things they have learnt can affect and influences their own lives.

Pupils’ spiritual development is shown by their:

•  Beliefs, religious or otherwise, which inform their perspective on life 

   and their interest in and respect for different people’s feeling and values

•  Sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves,

   others and the world around them, including the intangible

•  Use of imagination and creativity in their learning

•  Willingness to reflect on their experiences.

MORAL DEVELOPMENT 

The moral aspect of SMSC asks pupils to consider the moral issues of the topics that are being addressed, such as the role of humans and the environment.

Pupils’ moral development in shown by their:

•  Ability to recognise the difference between right and wrong and their

   readiness to apply this understanding in their own lives

•  Understanding of the consequences of their actions

•  Interest in investigating, and offered reasoned views

   about, moral and ethical issues.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Within Religious Education pupils are given the opportunity to develop their social skills through debate, speaking and listening, group work and using a variety of modern media. We also reflect on issues of community cohesion and the affect religion has on individuals. 

Pupils’ social development is shown by their:

•  Use of a range of social skills in different contexts, including working and 

   socialising with pupils from different religious, ethnic and socio-economic

   backgrounds

•  Willingness to participate in a variety of social settings, cooperating will

   with others and being able to resolve conflicts effectively

•  Interest in and understanding of, the way communities and

   societies function at a variety of levels.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Religion, Morality and Social skills are underpinned by the culture we live in. Within Religious Studies we look at issues of  how religious beliefs affects the culture we live in. We also review world faiths and show the importance of the influence of culture and religion often go hand in hand throughout the world. 

Pupils’ cultural development is shown by their:

•  Understanding and appreciation of the wide range of cultural influences

   that have shaped their own heritage

•  Willingness to participate in, and respond to, for example, artistic, musical,

   sporting, mathematical, technological, scientific and cultural opportunities

•  Interest in exploring, understanding of, and respect for cultural diversity 

   and the extent to which they understand, accept, respect and celebrate 

   diversity, as shown by their attitudes towards different religious,

   ethnic and socio-economic groups in the local, national 

   and global communities.

Harvest

Year Two discussing the 10 Commandments and rules

Information and website links for parents below; 

                                      Judaism

Judaism - Meet a Jewish Family

A child introduces her home and family and describes some of the

artefacts and traditions of a Jewish family home.

Judaism - An introduction to Shabbat

A family show us how they prepare for Shabbat, or sabbath, as well as telling us

why it is special and different from other times of the week. Starting on Friday

evening and ending on Saturday evening, Shabbat means a day of rest,

so any work needs to be done in advance of the day.

This includes food preparation and cleaning, and it also means

that homework is not allowed.

Judaism - The Story of the Passover

Preparations for the Passover Seder table. Jewish Passover traditions are

described and the story of the Jews enslavement in Egypt, and the ten plagues

during the time of Moses, is told in a short animated film. The significance

of the foods on the Seder Plate is also discussed.

                                        Sikh

The Sikh's Five K's  

A Sikh girl introduces her family and explains the significance

of each of the five Ks - the five articles of faith that

Khalsa Sikhs wear at all times.

                                          Islam

 Islam   Wudu - Washing and preparation for prayer

Muslim children show how they prepare for prayer by washing in a special way.

They explain that this is called Wudu and show how to carry it out. The footage also shows Muslims praying together before meeting with others to pray

at the mosque to celebrate Eid al-Fitr

                                  Christianity

A Christian Baptism

Part 1 and 2  

Baby Jamie is being baptised in a church. Jamie's older brother explains

that the parents and godparents make a promise to help Jamie grow up to be a Christian. The vicar pours water from the font over Jamie's head.

He says Jamie's full name and makes the sign of the cross.

A candle is lit to symbolise Jamie shining like a light.

The Christian Parable of 'The Good Samaritan'

The story of the Good Samaritan, as told by Jesus in one of the gospels

of the New Testament. A traveller is beaten up and robbed, and left for dead

along the road. A priest comes by, but deliberately avoids the man.

A lawyer also comes by but he too avoids the injured.

Finally, a Samaritan comes by, and he helps the injured man,

in an act of mercy and compassion.

Humanism 

Definition of a Humanist

                                     Humanist Baby Naming Celebration

Naming ceremonies:

• Can be held wherever you want: at home, in the park, the garden, or your local village hall
• Focus on the individual child, their personality and the friends and family that surround them
• Are a perfect way to welcome a baby, a stepchild or an adopted child into your family
• Can be held whenever you’re ready. There’s no rush: many are combined first birthday celebrations, for examples, and we also conduct many joint namings for siblings.

A typical naming ceremony might include readings or poems, parental promises to their child, the appointment of ‘guideparents’ and perhaps a symbolic action such as planting a tree, signing a certificate or writing in a wish book.

                       Humanist Wedding Celebration

A humanist, non-religious wedding ceremony gives you the opportunity to marry where you want, when you want, and how you want. There’s no set script: it’s too personal an occasion for that. Instead, each wedding is tailored to you. You can set the tone that’s right for you and choose your own words and music.

Humanist weddings are perfect for couples who would like:

• A meaningful ceremony that isn’t religious
• To marry outdoors or at a location that isn’t licensed for civil weddings
• The flexibility to create a personal ceremony that is unique to them
• To get to know the person who will be conducting their wedding
• To celebrate their marriage with family and friends but without legally registering – for example, when the formalities have already been conducted abroad.

                       Humanist Funeral Celebration

Each humanist (non-religious) funeral ceremony is unique and created to mark the life of the particular person that has died and the wishes of those who are remembering them. This means there is no set script.