Religious Education
At Bird in Bush School we follow the Southwark SACRE guidance for the teaching of Religious Education. Religious education has an important place in the curriculum of our school. It provides an opportunity for learning about people, cultures, faith and healthy relationships as well as about tolerance, understanding and appreciation of others’ beliefs and values.
Religious education encourages us to explore what it means to be human in a civilised society. Taught well, religious education can enthuse learners and open minds, leading to deeper understanding and greater awareness of the world and global challenges. It can also contribute to the spiritual, moral, social, emotional, cultural and intellectual development of pupils. Learnt well, religious education can give each and everyone of our children sound knowledge, essential skills and positive attributes for now and for life. It can encourage children and young people to have confidence in their own growing sense of identity as well as valuing and respecting diversity in others.
In addition to this syllabus, educationalists have access to units of learning and a range of resources via the education.southwark.gov.uk website.
Intent:
The religious education curriculum at Bird in Bush School is designed to reflect the diversity of the itself. Through learning about major religions and philosophies, children are able to develop a critical and respectful understanding of important religious and moral issues. We believe that quality-first RE teaching can help to instil children with a better and more holistic understanding of modern British values, such as diversity, tolerance and respect. At Bird in Bush, we believe strongly in the importance of developing children’s appreciation of how different religious beliefs have helped to shape the society and communities in which we live.
Implementation:
The implementation of religious education at Bird in Bush School is concerned with the six major world religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism. Children learn about each religion over the course of the academic year. This allows the children to build on their previous learning, as they move from one school year to the next. There no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds and values of the children and staff, and we therefore ensure that all children receive the same experience of religious education during their time at Bird in Bush.
Impact:
We use a number of different strategies to assess the impact of religious education at Bird in Bush School. Teachers use varied and robust forms of formative assessment to track progress throughout a topic. These low stakes assessment methods allow children the opportunity to reflect on their learning and develop their understanding. Regular monitoring of books, planning and pupils’ voice ensure the standard of religious education teaching remains consistently high.
Enrichment:
Children at Bird in Bush are given many enriching opportunities as part of the wider religious education curriculum. Trips to places of worship, as well visits from religious leaders provide the children with a wealth of experience and opportunities, which complement and support the learning which takes place in class.