Religions & Worldviews Curriculum Statement

Intent

Here at Badsworth C of E Junior and Infant School, it is our intent for everyone to CARE - Prepare - Believe.

As a school we:

Consider And Respect Everyone, as Jesus taught.

Prepare for a bright future.

Believe we can make a difference.

‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’

Philippians 4:13

Our broad and balanced Religions & Worldviews curriculum provides our children with opportunities to enquire into and explore questions arising from the study of religion and belief, so as to promote their personal and spiritual development, preparing them for a bright future as global citizens. We ensure a balance of knowledge of Christianity, other major religions and worldviews, and we develop their understanding of the reasons believers hold these beliefs, along with ways in which those various beliefs influence people’s behaviour, choices and lives. We enable learners to consider these different insights in their own search for identity and significance as they become aware of their own beliefs and values, and search for meaning and purpose in life. We encourage learners to develop a respectful attitude towards other people who hold religious beliefs different from their own.

Implementation

At Badsworth CE J&I School, we follow the Statement for Entitlement for RE, providing weekly lessons of a minimum of 1 hour in Key Stage 1 and 1 hour 15 minutes in Key Stage 2.  In order to do this, we follow Wakefield LA Agreed Syllabus 2023 -28 and Understanding Christianity units. The Long-Term Plan for Religions & Worldviews delivers a minimum 50% coverage of units which focus on Christianity with the rest focusing on other religions and world views.  In addition to this, the Religions & Worldviews curriculum is enhanced through visits, visitors and theme days. 

Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways, such as writing, drawing, discussion and drama, to ensure that all pupils, regardless of need, access the full curriculum. Learning is adapted to ensure that all pupils can experience success in Religions & Worldviews lessons. Work from all year groups is celebrated throughout the year on a whole-school Religions & Worldviews display.

In the teaching of substantive Religions & Worldviews, Rosenshine’s Principles are applied.  Children are given opportunities to recap and review prior and key learning before new learning is taught.  Key vocabulary is a focus throughout lessons so it can be used and applied in the children’s learning. Children are also given the opportunity to deepen their understanding through discussion and debate, where they can share their own opinions respectfully using facts they have learnt.

Impact

As a result of effective Religions & Worldviews teaching, children will have;

learnt from religions and worldviews while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;

learnt about how religions can enable them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral, social and global issues;

developed respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

The effective teaching of Religions & Worldviews is measured by half termly monitoring by the subject leader.  Pupil voice is gathered to assess the children’s knowledge and understanding of religion and worldviews. This happens through Talking to Children sessions as well as a ‘Why Religions & Worldviews?’ section on the annual Pupil Survey. Pupil’s work is monitored to ensure Religions & Worldviews is taught in line with other core subjects. 

Pupils’ progress in Religions & Worldviews is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the Agreed Syllabus and in Understanding Christianity units, which in turn have been developed in line with guidance produced nationally.

We track individual pupil’s progress in this way and progress in Religions & Worldviews is reported annually to parents/carers and has a prominent position in the end of year report.