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What does Religious Education look like at Bratton Primary School?

At Bratton Primary School we aim to develop the children’s’ knowledge and understanding of the major world faiths. They reflect on what it means to have a faith and to develop their own spiritual knowledge and understanding. As a school we aim to celebrate diversity and offer a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our pupils, including new arrivals and non-native English speakers. We help the children learn from religion , as well as about it. Religious Education is taught in accordance with the aims of the Wiltshire Agreed Syllabus, particularly relevant to our school is the aim, which states: Religious Education should help pupils to develop a positive attitude towards other people, respecting their right to hold different beliefs from their own, and towards living in a society of many religions and beliefs’.

Why is Religious Education important?

At Bratton Primary School Religious Education is important because it is vital to teach pupils about the beliefs of their community and the wider world. It aims to teach children about key religious figures and their influence in society. Religious Education allows children to celebrate their differences, be reflective and thankful. Religious Education teaches pupils about diversity, respect and helps their spiritual, moral, social and cultural self to develop. Religious Education improves our children’s vocabulary, talking about religious aspects with confidence. It is a key opportunity to allow pupils to explore British values, teaching children: mutual tolerance, respectful attitudes, democracy, the rule of law and individual liberty.

How is our Religious Education curriculum enriched at Bratton Primary School?

Bratton Primary School enriches the Religious Education curriculum, through several means. We have a vast range of good quality artefacts from different world religions and are age appropriate, e.g. puppets for EYFS. Religious Education brings our school community together, such as participating in an outside, joint minute silence to mark the end of the war. We join together to create displays from across year groups, such as making poppies. All year groups also participate in Harvest festival assemblies, encouraging families to bring in food for the local foodbank. In key Stage 2, a local vicar gives an assembly to promote collective worship. We excitedly participate in Christmas activities, such as our play, party and fayre. We also enjoy Easter and learning about traditions. Our school goes on exciting school trips such as to a church or mosque.

Ultimately our Religious Education curriculum is designed to:

  • Teach children to know and understand a range of religions and world views. This will enable them to describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities.
  • They will appreciate and express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions. This should allow them to explain how individuals and communities are affected by the beliefs, practices and other forms of expression.
  • The children should be able to express their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and values.
  • They will gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and world views.
  • Pupils will be able to investigate questions around belonging, meaning, purpose and truth.
  • They will see what enables different communities to live together respectfully.