implementation
We follow the Waltham Forest Standing Advisory Councils for Religious Education (SACRE) Agreed Syllabus and the RE Today scheme of work as the basis of our curriculum. Through this syllabus, we aim to provide a consistent approach to RE. The syllabus allows progression throughout their primary education, which builds (and recaps) on prior knowledge and understanding. Religious Education is taught weekly using a thematic approach. We use a range of methods to teach Religious Education which allows pupils to make comparisons by exploring differences and similarities between various religions. Where termly themes focus on one religious belief, pupils are invited to make links to other religions they have covered. Pupils are given opportunities to take part in lessons which are practical, interactive and creative.
At Handsworth we aim to include the following in our lessons:
Sacred texts and artefacts - the school has a wide range of resources for a number of religions. These are used to support learning by providing a practical approach. Pupils are given opportunities to handle artefacts and explore sacred texts which provide children opportunities to see the history and engage with the theological.
Stories from faith traditions - stories from faiths are sources that provide a deeper understanding of religious beliefs. Examples of these are the lives of the saints in the Christian traditions, the Hadith in Islam, the wisdom of the Midrash in Judaism, and the Ramayana in Hinduism.
Visits and visitors - local visits to places of worship are key to understanding and getting a deeper insight into religious beliefs and traditions. They provide pupils with hands-on experience and encourage mutual respect and tolerance within a diverse society. Visits from parents and local religious communities are encouraged so children are able to experience how others, with religious beliefs, live in Britain and recognise how religious practice is conducted in a variety of ways whilst still being a part of the community.
Where visits are not possible, we make use of the internet, videos and virtual tours to share real-life experiences.
The community - building links with the local community which include parents, and local religious leaders are vital. Not only does it allow children to meet the aims of this subject but also allows children to make deeper connections with people around them. It encourages them to accept and develop a deeper insight into the diverse society we live in.
Creative curriculum – using other subjects such as Music, PSHE, Art, English and History allows further opportunities to secure understanding using practical, interactive and creative lessons. Examples of these are using imaginative play or drama to express feelings and ideas; responding to images, games, stories, art, music and dance; using ICT to further explore religion and belief globally; comparing religions and worldviews through discussion; debating and communicating religious belief, worldviews and philosophical ideas and answering and asking ultimate questions posed by these.
Multidisciplinary and Worldviews - Multi-disciplinary refers to using different academic disciplines or approaches or methodologies to study an aspect of a worldview. At Handsworth, we aim to include sociology, theology, philosophy and human/social sciences within the lessons. Using these disciplines combined with rich questions, the children are able to investigate religion, belief and practice in Britain today