Religious Education
Shaw Cross School is a non-denominational school, with children and families attending from a range of cultural and religious backgrounds. In accordance with statutory requirements for non-faith schools, in Y1 and Y2 we have a daily act of worship which is “broadly Christian in nature.” Assemblies focus on moral issues, and on respect for one another. We also focus on topical concerns and current issues, arising in school or from a national or global context.
In Foundation Stage, religious education is concerned with children developing an appreciation and wonder of the world in which they live. Alongside making sense of their own place within the world, children are encouraged to show a sensitivity to others and understand the need to treat each other’s views and beliefs with respect.
At Key Stage One, our RE lessons follow the Kirklees Agreed Syllabus and focus particularly on Christianity and Islam. However, to broaden children’s awareness and understanding, and ensure our curriculum is inclusive to children of all faiths, we also acknowledge special times in faiths other than Christianity and Islam. For example, pupils learn about the festival of Diwali, and children are invited to share their family celebrations in school. In addition to this we also acknowledge the role of non-religious world views such as humanism.
We have an enquiry led approach which not only explores what different faiths and world-views teach and do, but also engages pupils in discovering and exploring what they themselves believe. The syllabus is aimed at providing a vehicle for nurturing mature, thoughtful and respectful pupils who can relate positively to others whether they hold the same or different viewpoints to their own. It encourages pupils to be inquisitive and open-minded and to ask and answer questions.
Children find out about different places of worship, which books are important to the two faiths which we study (Christianity and Islam) and about different religious festivals and how they are celebrated (e.g. special clothes, foods and gifts). Within this we focus on the similarities and differences and encourage children to share their experiences and make links between the faiths. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging mutual respect and tolerance of other viewpoints. Children are encouraged to care for our world, celebrate diversity and recognise interdependence, as well as helping children to gain an understanding of where and how they fit in the wider world.
We ensure all children have access to the Kirklees Agreed Syllabus for religious education.
Click here for the EYFS curriculum.
Click here for the Key Stage One curriculum (year 1 and 2).