Religion and Worldviews at Bushmead Primary School

Our school curriculum for Religion and Worldviews meets the requirements of the 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA). The ERA stipulates that Religion and Worldviews is compulsory for all children, including those in the reception class who are less than five years old. The ERA allows parents to withdraw their child from Religion and Worldviews classes if they so wish, although this should only be done once the parents have given written notice to the school governors. The ERA also allows teachers to refuse to teach Religion and Worldviews, but only after they have given due notice of their intention to the school governors. The Religion and Worldviews curriculum forms an important part of our school’s spiritual, moral and social teaching. It also promotes education for citizenship. Our school RVW curriculum is based on the Cambridgeshire County Council Agreed Syllabus SACRE Agreed Syllabus and it meets all the requirements set out in that document. The ERA states that the Religion and Worldviews syllabus should reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, and that it should, at the same time, take account of the teachings and practices of other major religions.

Intent statement

Religion and Worldviews Education enables pupils to investigate and reflect on some of the most fundamental questions asked by people. At Bushmead Primary School we develop the pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the major world faiths, and we address the fundamental questions in life. We enable pupils to develop a sound knowledge of world religions, especially those that are the main faiths of pupils within our school. Pupils reflect on what it means to have a faith and to develop their own spiritual knowledge and understanding. We help the pupils learn from religions as well as about religions.  Throughout our RE curriculum pupils will be encouraged to explore religions, engage with their knowledge, and reflect on their learning and their lives.

What children will be taught

As children move through our school they will be taught a progressive curriculum that builds on the knowledge from previous years. Children will learn about the following areas in each year group.

Early Years

There are 7 areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage, R.E. is a subject that is learnt and developed throughout these 7 areas.  Taught across the year and explored through continuous provision: Children explore their own likes, dislikes and beliefs. They recognise a variety of celebrations - Birthdays, Christmas, Diwali. They join in with rhymes, action songs and stories and begin to build a repertoire of songs and dances- singing songs to themselves and making up simple songs of their own. They explore their local community through local visits and visitors.

School Policy

The Religion and Worldviews policy can be found below and in the policies section of the school website.