Religious Education
Intent
Twydall Primary School follow the Medway Agreed Syllabus as a basis for developing spiritual and moral awareness. We aim to provide opportunities for children to explore meaning and purpose to life through Christianity and other World religions.
Implementation
Twydall Primary school has developed its own RE curriculum, with links to the Medway Agreed Syllabus. We make cross-curricular links where possible and applying skills and knowledge across other subjects. We strive to allow our children to be independent learners and to show respect for others, this includes their religious beliefs so we feel that by teaching a range of faiths through RE our children will be respectful to others, regardless of their own beliefs.
Children in Key Stage 1 are taught about Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Children in Key Stage 2 are taught about Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Key festivals, from different faiths and cultures, are celebrated throughout the year in classes. Children are encouraged to think about the similarities and differences between faiths and cultures.
At Twydall Primary School we have developed our own curriculum which is progressive and builds upon prior learning. By doing this we are able to deepen children’s understandings of the world we live in and be able to explore their own views and beliefs. Teachers plan to have lively, engaging lessons and through continual assessment they can plan questions that will stretch the children’s understanding and can also identify potential misconceptions or gaps in children’s learning and plan accordingly.
An Act of Parliament governs Religious Education. Parents can withdraw their children from R.E. or collective worship by writing to the Head of School.
Impact
At Twydall Primary School, we believe that through our teaching of RE, children will extend their knowledge and understanding of religions and beliefs and begin to offer their own thoughtful and informed insights into religious and non-religious views of life’s meaning and purpose.
Throughout Key Stage 1 and 2 children will develop a knowledge and understanding of different religions; gain an understanding and appreciation of ultimate questions and become better able to clarify and develop their own informed worldviews and to express their own views on the matters and issues encountered.
The impact upon our children is that they will be able to appreciate the importance of religion in the lives of many people, consider their own beliefs, values and attitudes and grow in understanding of the influence of belief on behaviour, values and attitudes. It is hoped that by teaching a range of religious customs and beliefs we are breaking down the walls of prejudice and teaching our pupils how to be respectful which is one of the British Values and is very important within our school community.
Visiting Rochester Cathedral
Please take a look at the Rochester Cathedral website for their "Advent Calendar" which explores the symbolism behind common Christmas symbols such as candy canes, trees, stars etc.