Religious Education

• At Cravenwood Primary Academy, we believe that it is vital for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. We want our children to think like philosophers.  
• Through Religious Education, pupils develop their knowledge of the world faiths, and their understanding and awareness of the beliefs of others.  
• This contributes to their developing knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes, which are necessary for their self-fulfilment and their development as active and responsible citizens.  
• We acknowledge our moral responsibility in this role, supporting our pupils to develop into well rounded individuals capable of understanding different religions in society and varying points of view.   
• We strive to support pupils to leave our school in year 6 being culturally aware of their local community, the region they live in and with a wider understanding of world religions and beliefs.   
• Pupils will learn to develop and communicate their own ideas, particularly in relation to questions of identity, belonging, meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments.
• We believe that Religious Education makes an important contribution to our school’s determination to promote: community cohesion, the community within which the school is located, the UK community and the global community.  
• It provides a key context to develop young people’s understanding and appreciation of diversity, to promote shared values and to challenge racism and discrimination.

• Teachers follow the 'Religious Literacy for All' curriculum linking strongly and covering all aspects of the agreed syllabus.
• As part of each unit's planning, children are provided with a knowledge organiser which outlines knowledge (including vocabulary) all children must master for that unit of Religious Education. A cycle of lessons are taught which carefully plans for progression and depth, to ensure pupils have a clear understanding and time to revisit key concepts. Units also include identifying and developing an understanding of ultimate questions and ethical issues. 
• Children are challenged in their thought process to acknowledge, accept and understand different religions and ways of thinking. Throughout the curriculum, they will develop their skills of interpretation, analysis and explanation. 
• Learning within our curriculum includes enquiry into and investigation of the nature of religious faith, its key beliefs and teachings, practices, its impact on the lives of believers and communities and the varying ways in which these are expressed.
• By visiting different places of worship, handling different artefacts, being immersed in a range of culture, food, singing, dancing, and festivals, children will not only be exposed to these cultures but will also gain a deeper respect for our community and the wider world we live in.   
• In the Local Agreed Syllabus (LAS), learning about religion covers pupils' knowledge and understanding of individual religions and how they relate to each other as well as the study of the nature and characteristics of religion.  

• Our Religious Education Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress.
• In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:  
  • A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes for Religious Education;  
  • A celebration of learning for each term which demonstrates progression across the school;  
  • Tracking of gains in each quiz;  
  • Pupil discussions about their learning;  
• At Cravenwood, this is important to widen horizons leading to stronger community cohesion.  It is our vision and mission to open children's eyes to the vibrancy and wonder of the world around them.  By the time children leave us in Year 6, they will have developed a love of culture and a curiosity which can be further built upon in year 7 by having the skills to consider other points of view that are differing to their own.  

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of religious education. 

For any request to withdraw your child from religious education, please contact the school to arrange a meeting with the Executive Principal/Head of School in the first instance.