Religious Education & Acts of Worship

Religious Education is an important part of the curriculum that extends children's understanding of the world in which we live. As a Church of England School, the Christian ethos of the school and the Christian values that guide us are apparent in every aspect of school life. Our core Christian Values were agreed by the school community: pupils, staff, parents and members of the local governing body.

Children learn about a variety of religions and the attitudes and values of different communities and faiths. They are encouraged to explore their feelings, attitudes and values as individuals and as members of the local community and the wider world.

Regular collective acts of worship bring the children together each day of the week. Our collective worship mainly reflect the traditions of Christian belief and promote shared values, tolerance and respect for others.

If you feel that your child needs to be excused from attending collective worship or religious education lessons please discuss your concerns with the headteacher.

Intent

As a Church of England school, the teaching of Religious Education at Ambleside C of E Primary School is central to our curriculum. The 1988 Education Act states that ‘Religious Education has equal standing in relation to core subjects of the National Curriculum in that it is compulsory for all registered pupils’.

Through Religious Education we aim:

To engage pupils in enquiring into and exploring questions arising from the study of religion and belief, so as to promote their personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
To provide learners with knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religious traditions and beliefs represented in Great Britain.
To develop their understanding of the ways in which beliefs influence people in their behaviour, practices and outlook.
To enable learners to apply the insights of the principal religious traditions to their search for identity and significance.
To enable learners to become aware of their own beliefs and values and to have a positive attitude to the search for meaning and purpose in life.
To encourage learners to develop a positive attitude towards other people who hold religious beliefs different from their own.

Implementation

Religious Education is a statutory subject of the curriculum for all pupils in each year group and 'should be provided for all registered pupils except those withdrawn at the request of their parents'. (s 71 SSFA 1998) Parents have the right to request that their child be excused from all or part of the Religious Education provided at school. The syllabus should 'reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main, Christian, while taking into account the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain'. (s 375 (3) Education Act 1996) We comply with the legal requirements for the teaching of Religious Education by following the Diocese of Carlisle RE units of work.

Religious Education is taught on a weekly basis in each year group but is sometimes delivered through a class topic or as a whole school RE day. Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways so that all children can participate fully. Interactive, practical activities linked to the themes in the syllabus and other subjects where appropriate, encourage our pupils to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions.

Some lessons take place in St Mary’s Church where the children learn more about Christian events occasions such as Harvest, Christmas, Easter and Baptism.

Pupils' progress in Religious Education is based on the expected outcomes outlined in the Agreed Syllabus and units of work, which have been developed in line with guidance produced nationally. These outcomes form the basis of our school assessment system, pupils are assessed regularly and their progress is monitored against the objectives. Progress in Religious Education is reported annually to parents.

Impact

Religious Education at Ambleside develops pupils':

knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to, Christianity, other principal world religions, other religious traditions and world views;
understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life choices), through exploring issues within and between faiths;
understanding of the influence of faith and belief on individuals, societies, communities and cultures; skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;
skills of reflection, expression, application , analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.

Religious Education at Ambleside encourages pupils to:

consider their own thoughts and opinions on the challenging questions of the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, their own self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human;
understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures
learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;
learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral and social issues;
develop their sense of identity and belonging in the world, preparing them for life as citizens in a multi-cultural global society;
develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

Religious Education at Ambleside enhances pupils':

awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression;
ability to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.

Religious Education at Ambleside offers:

opportunities for all pupils for personal reflection and spiritual development;
preparedness for life in a multi-cultural global society where they can exist in harmony with others and live life to the full

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