Religious Education
Our Christian vision permeates through all aspects of the curriculum. As a school community we work hard to ensure that all children can let their own unique light shine. If they find things difficult they know that there is always support be that from parents, teachers, friends and God. The SEND children in school receive tailored support to match their needs allowing them to flourish. When needed, support is sought from outside agencies. Through ELSA children in need of emotional support are guided and encouraged to explore their thoughts and feelings to enable them to be the best they can be and shine. Through PSCHE work, children are given confidence and appreciate the importance of respect and acceptance. Our school is not multi cultural and we appreciate the importance of teaching about the wider community, wider world and world faiths to make sure that our children allow others to shine and be supported with tolerance and respect. The importance of caring for our world is highlighted and all children experience Forest School lessons. After school clubs and trips offer children opportunities to discover new talents and experiences. Our curriculum is bespoke and is designed to expand and enhance children’s experiences and awareness of the wider world and community. Every child is valued and respected and becomes a member of our school family. This enables them to flourish as their learning is finely tuned to their individual needs. As a school we value individuality and allow children to have time and space in which they can let their own light shine. The children in turn look to each other and acknowledge when they recognise that their peers have done something in which they have shone.
Spiritual development is a personal journey and as a school community we respect the need for each member of staff, governor, parent and pupil to find their own path. Through the teaching of Christian values and stories form Christianity and World faiths our pupils develop an awareness and understanding of the diversity of faith and we respect that everyone is different, supporting everyone whether their faith is strong, developing or they have no faith. Through our Christian vision we can all let our individual lights shine, offer support and be supported as and when needed. The school prayer at lunchtime, prayers at the end of the day and during worship are invitational and our Christian vision emphasizes the importance of our individuality and need to support and guide when needed. The value and importance of time for reflection, stillness, creativity and mindfulness is acknowledged. Staff and pupils model their behaviour on the Christain values that run throughout the heart of the school. Rev Adam Friend holds Prayer Club on a weekly basis, where the children are invited to share their thoughts and beliefs. Spirituality is highlighted throughout the curriculum. This starts with incidental opportunities in daily school life and through more structured reflection in PSHCE lessons. Opportunities to develop and reflect on spirituality are also harnessed in the wider curriculum – for example PE, science and art. The children are encouraged to discuss and reflect on how their understanding of spirituality can be woven into their own learning to invite a broader understanding and awareness.
We follow the Cheshire Diocesan curriculum. This has been adapted to suit our mixed age classes and we have created a two year rolling program to ensure that our coverage is full. Rev Friend has completed a learning walk around school to look at and discuss the teaching of RE. Leaders monitor teaching and learning. The importance of the RE curriculum runs through our bespoke curriculum in school – and reference is made to issues, stories, values when teaching in other subjects. The work completed in RE is recorded in individual books by the KS1 and 2 children. The children in Nursery and Reception have a floor book which captures their experiences and observations. RE is given a high profile in displays around the school ensuring that all stakeholders recognize it’s place in our church school.
Please see the attached Statement of Entitilement for RE.
Collective worship takes place every day. As indicated in the policy it is inviational, inspirational and inspiring. Christian values form the basis for our worship focus - attached is our worship plan and timetable of activities to support worship themes in day to day teaching.