Religious Education
Our curriculum leader for RE is Mrs R Andrew
Our Governor link for RE is Mrs C Throssell
Please see below, our long term curriculum plan for RE:
Programme of Study for the Barnsley Local Agreed Syllabus:
The Six Key Questions
These questions are the product of much thought by the Agreed Syllabus Conference and the Local Agreed Syllabus Working Groups. They are designed to guide and shape pupils’ learning in RE across the years of schooling. Of course, pupils begin to handle the key questions very simply, moving on to learn about and respond to religious objects and ideas, to describe for themselves, to analyse information, and increasingly to develop the ability to draw thoughtful and balanced conclusions.
Question 1
Why are these words special?
Sacred books
KS1: Pupils learn to name some holy books and talk about the stories from them that they have heard.
KS2: Pupils learn to describe the stories and teachings of holy books, and make links with their own lives and ideas
Question 2
Why are some places special?
Local places of worship, objects, artefacts, signs and
symbols, sacred sites and pilgrimages
KS1: Pupils learn about places of worship, what they are like and how special they are, and about objects and artefacts associated with them. Pupils find out about some places where
religious people love to go and remember – and think of their own favourite places.
KS2: Pupils learn to describe different places of worship and their symbols, and link ideas about peace, strength, love or courage to ideas about worship. Pupils learn that pilgrimages come in many forms in different religions, making links to the idea of ‘life as a journey’
Question 3
How can faith contribute to Community
Cohesion?
Beliefs, ethics, family traditions and faith in the
Community
KS1: Pupils learn about the ways being religious makes a difference in a family. Pupils learn that our society includes many religions, and all are worth respecting. In our area or region, they can all be seen first hand.
KS2: Pupils learn to describe what difference believing makes in some religions, and to describe their own beliefs, linking them to religious ones. Pupils describe some of the ways a religion is expressed and the impact the faith has on community life. They link the ideas to their own lives
Question 4
Why are some times special?
Festivals and families
KS1: Pupils learn to name celebrations and festivals that are special to each religion, and to themselves
KS2: Pupils learn to describe religious artefacts, festivals and practices, linking them to special times they have studied
Question 5
What can be learned from the lives of
significant people of faith?
Role models
KS1: Pupils take thoughts from some stories of religious founders or leaders and think about what makes these people special.
KS2: Pupils describe the lives and teachings of some great leaders, and make links between their beliefs, the religions they contributed to and themselves.
Question 6
How do I and others feel about life and
the universe around us?
Ultimate questions
KS1: Pupils explore the puzzling questions that life in the world gives us, and talk about some answers to them from religion. They talk about the questions they would like to ask God.
KS2: Pupils describe some puzzling questions about God and humanity, and some answers from different viewpoints. They suggest answers of their own.
At Springvale we cover these 6 Key Questions in 4 of the main religions: Christianity (KS1 & 2), Judaism (KS1), Hinduism (KS2) and Islam(KS2).
Collective Worship, Faith and Beliefs at Springvale Primary School
At Springvale Primary School, we are proud to be a welcoming, inclusive and caring school community, where children and families of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds are respected and valued.
We recognise that our families hold a wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs, and we are committed to ensuring that every child feels a sense of belonging within our school.
Our Approach to Collective Worship
Springvale Primary School is a non-denominational community primary school and does not promote or represent any particular religious denomination.
In accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, maintained schools are required to provide a daily act of collective worship. For community schools such as Springvale, collective worship must be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character, reflecting the broad traditions of Christian belief without being distinctive of any particular denomination.
At Springvale, our assemblies and opportunities for collective worship are planned to be inclusive, age-appropriate and reflective of our school values.
They provide opportunities for children to:
Reflect on values such as kindness, respect, compassion, forgiveness and responsibility.
Consider important questions about life, relationships and the world around them.
Develop an understanding of different beliefs, religions and worldviews.
Celebrate achievements and strengthen our sense of community.
Reflect quietly and thoughtfully on their own experiences, values and beliefs.
We believe these opportunities contribute positively to children's personal, social, moral, spiritual and cultural development.
Christian Stories, Prayer and Visiting Speakers
As part of our collective worship provision, children may hear stories from the Bible, explore Christian teachings, sing songs with Christian themes or be invited to join in moments of prayer and reflection.
We also occasionally welcome visitors from the local community, including representatives of Christian organisations, to lead assemblies. These visits usually take place approximately once every half-term and may include storytelling, songs, discussion and prayer.
We recognise that some families may not share the religious beliefs expressed during these assemblies. Children are not expected to adopt particular religious beliefs or personally affirm a faith that is not their own.
Where prayer forms part of an assembly, children are encouraged to approach this respectfully, with the opportunity to listen or reflect quietly rather than participate personally in the prayer.
All visiting speakers are expected to respect the inclusive ethos of Springvale and the diversity of beliefs represented within our school community. Assemblies delivered by external visitors are arranged and overseen by the school.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
Religious Education (RE) and collective worship are distinct aspects of school life.
Through our RE curriculum, children learn about a range of religions, beliefs and worldviews, including Christianity and other principal religions represented in Britain, alongside non-religious perspectives.
Our aim is to develop knowledge, understanding, respect and curiosity. RE is educational and is not intended to persuade children to adopt a particular faith.
Collective worship, by contrast, forms part of the school's statutory daily provision and may include elements of religious expression and reflection.
Parents' Right to Withdraw
We recognise and respect the right of parents and carers to make decisions about their child's participation in collective worship.
Under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, parents have the legal right to withdraw their child from all or part of collective worship.
Parents do not need to provide a reason for requesting withdrawal.
If you would like to discuss our approach to collective worship or request that your child be withdrawn, please contact the Headteacher. We will be happy to explain our arrangements and ensure that appropriate supervision is provided for children who are withdrawn.
Our Commitment to Inclusion and Respect
At Springvale, we believe that understanding different beliefs and perspectives is an important part of preparing children for life in modern Britain.
We want our pupils to grow into thoughtful, respectful and compassionate individuals who recognise that people may hold different beliefs while sharing common values.
We are always happy to discuss our approach with parents and carers and welcome respectful conversations about faith, belief and the experiences of children in our school.
Above all, we want every child and family to feel respected, included and valued as part of the Springvale community.