Religious Education
Mrs Williams leads RE at Widnes Academy
Widnes Academy follows the Lancashire Syllabus in line with the other Halton schools.
Intent
To develop pupil’s knowledge and understanding of religion, religious beliefs, practices, language and traditions and their influence on individuals, communities, societies and cultures. To encourage pupils to consider and respond to a range of important questions related to their own spiritual development, the development of values and attitudes and fundamental questions concerning the meaning and purpose of life. To design a curriculum that builds upon pupils own religious beliefs, the religious beliefs of the wider community and then the religious beliefs within Great Britain. To design a curriculum, in line with the Halton Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education which has adopted the Lancashire RE Agreed Syllabus. This promotes children’s spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils. It also prepares all pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of the present and the future. To promote religious understanding, discernment and respect and challenge prejudice and stereotyping. To develop a positive attitude towards other people, respecting their right to hold different beliefs than their own and supporting living in a society of diverse religions and beliefs. To develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues, with references to the teachings of the principal religions represented in Great Britain
Implementation
The school curriculum, using the Halton Agreed Syllabus, Medium Term Plans will focus on an overarching question for each topic/ year group. This will then be broken down into 4 field of enquiry experiences –
• Shared Human Experiences
• Beliefs and Values
• Living Religious Traditions
• Personal Belief
The Scheme of work also includes opportunities to link British Values, Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) and schools’ key skills into the curriculum. At the heart of the curriculum is a focus on ultimate questions and ethical beliefs. To develop pupils and allow them the opportunity to appreciate their own and others' beliefs and cultures and how these impact on individuals, communities, societies and cultures. Children have access to key knowledge, language and meanings in order to understand RE and to use across the wider curriculum Lessons involve class discussions and group activities and evidence of the work completed is gathered into a class book so that the focus is on the discussions and the children’s understanding of what is taught and not on the written aspects. We also have excellent links with the local church and our link vicar develops the spiritual; side of SMSC through collective worship assemblies.
Impact
Our school values and inclusion of safeguarding within our curriculum is vital as first and foremost, we want our children to be safe and happy so that they can excel in all aspects of school life. Our RE curriculum provides children with a chance to reflect and learn about these crucial elements.
The RE curriculum actively promotes the values of, truth, justice, respect for all and care for the environment. Placing specific emphasis on -
• Pupils valuing themselves and others,
• The role of family life and the community in religious belief and activity
• The celebration of diversity in society through understanding similarities and differences
• Sustainable development of the earth
Children will demonstrate and apply the British Values of: Democracy, Tolerance, Mutual respect, Rule of Law and Liberty. Children will develop positive relationships with people who hold different beliefs from their own. Children will be understanding and respectful to other people within their school, community and society.
Please see our 2024-2025 plans for RE below.
