At Synergy Schools we follow the North Yorkshire Agreed Syllabus for RE which is further complemented with the use of the Understanding Christianity resource which supports the teaching of Christianity in Religious Education.
Having considered the requirements and guidelines presented in the Agreed Syllabus, the following religious groups have been selected for study:
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Our main aim is that through Religious Education our pupils explore big questions about life, in order to find out what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can make sense of religion and world views, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living.
Our curriculum for Religious Education ensures that all pupils develop 3 types of knowledge:
- To know about and understand a range of religions and world views so that they can describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices whilst recognising diversity.
- To express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and the impact of religions.
- To gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and world views.
Our RE curriculum accomplishes this through focusing around three main strands:
- Believing (religious beliefs, teachings, sources, questions about meaning, purpose and truth).
- Expressing (religious and spiritual forms of expression, questions about identify and diversity)
- Living (Religious practices and ways of living, questions about values and commitments).
The use of Understanding Christianity supports a deeper study into the Christian beliefs covering the 6 core concepts of: God, Creation, Fall, People of God, Incarnation, Gospel, Salvation and Kingdom of God. Through these concepts pupils encounter a range of biblical texts, placed within a wider theological context. Pupils consider the nature of God, Jesus’ life and teachings and the impact on the lives of Christians through exploring different Christian festivals and beliefs. The concepts are explored through making sense of texts, understanding the impact, and making connections.
Our Religious Education teaching is based around a key question approach, where the questions open up the content to be studied.
We aim to provide a curriculum which:
- Encourages children to ask and reflect on challenging questions about religions, respectfully and openly.
- Promotes children to appreciate and respect the different cultures in today’s society including their own community.
- Provides opportunities for pupils to critically reflect upon and evaluate their own learning whilst, exploring their own beliefs (not necessarily religious) and how they can contribute to their own lives, local communities, world and human experiences, thus promoting social awareness and understanding of others.
- Develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of different religions and consider how the beliefs of others influences their lives and the lives of others.
- Is rich in creativity using Art, Music, Drama and outdoor learning, allowing children opportunities to learn through creative, motivating and interactive experiences, including visits to a range of places of worship from different religions.
- Allows children to be individually reflective of their own beliefs and ideas, strengthening children’s ability to learn and articulate their learning at a deeper level.
- Encourages creativity, imagination, enquiry, debate, discussion and independence in order to develop their love of learning, and understanding of the world they live in.
At Synergy Schools, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), is strongly embedded into every strand of our federation’s culture. In this interdependent world that we live in, every child as a global citizen is aware of the responsibilities and differences they can make to benefit the community around them. Children make links to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) also within our Religious Education curriculum which creates a platform to reflect on their Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) responsibility as future citizens.
Our Religious Education curriculum opens wide the doors to all children, to have a deeper and broader understanding of this rich kaleidoscope of religions, beliefs and practices and develops a cohesive community, rich in multi-religious practices.
The school complies with the legal requirements to provide a daily act of worship for all pupils. Through collective worship we aim to provide an important opportunity to underline common values that hold this Church School together as a community. Worship time is planned carefully to give a comprehensive range of experiences, which are also relevant to our Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) studies.
We also follow the main religious festivals through the year and have close links our local church. Children’s achievements are also given recognition during worship time. We regularly celebrate festivals and events in St Gregory’s church in Crakehall. Collective Worship is led mainly by school staff but also by other leaders from local churches and our pupils themselves.
We feel that this act of collective worship is a very important part of our day; however parents have the right to withdraw their children from this activity. If parents make this choice, they are invited to discuss the matter with the Head of School.
Curriculum & Subject Progression