"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)

Intent- How our curriculum is structured and organised

At The King’s School, we follow the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education’s (SDBE) curriculum plans, adapting the plans to meet the needs of our learners.  We have a rich and balanced curriculum, which encourages children to understand, explore and compare world religions, fostering a deep respect for all and valuing the diversity in God’s people.

As a church school, children leave King's with a rich understanding of the Christian faith’s teachings and values. Children are encouraged to take part in reasoned discussions about the teachings of Christianity and other world faiths, comparing them to their own beliefs, whilst challenging each other to reflect on how religion shapes the world.

Our curriculum enables children to reflect on how their own beliefs, values and identity influence them and how they compare to the teaching of Christianity and other principal faiths, enriching their spiritual and moral growth.

The SDBE syllabus is designed to support Church of England schools within the Southwark Diocese in developing and delivering excellence in RE. It responds to research in high quality RE, national calls for deepening pupils’ knowledge about religions and for developing their ‘religious literacy’ and SDBE work in RE. The syllabus is sequenced through systematic units, focused on one religion, and thematic units which build on learning by comparing the religions, beliefs and practices. The syllabus comprises teaching units for the teaching of Christianity at Reception, Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2) and the study of other principal world religions and worldviews in KS1 and KS2.

Believing, Thinking, Living 

Pupils encounter core concepts in religions and beliefs in a coherent way, developing their understanding and their ability to handle questions of religion and belief. The teaching and learning approach also has three disciplinary lenses or ‘ways of knowing’ (believing, thinking, living), which are woven together as golden threads to provide breadth and balance within teaching and learning about religions and beliefs, underpinning the aims of RE. Believing, relating to theological approaches, thinking, relating to more philosophical approaches and living, sociological approaches. Teaching and learning in the classroom will encompass all three elements, allowing for overlap between elements as suits the religion, concept and question being explored.

These elements set the context for open exploration of religion and belief. They offer a structure through which pupils can encounter diverse religious traditions alongside non-religious worldviews. The elements present a broad and flexible strategy that allows for different traditions to be treated with integrity. These elements offer a route through each unit while also allowing for a range of questions reflecting different approaches, for example, from religious studies, philosophy, sociology, ethics and theology.

“Religious Education in a Church school should enable every child to flourish and to live life in all its fullness (John 10:10). It will help educate for dignity and respect encouraging all to live well together.

‘Such an approach is offered through a commitment to generous hospitality, being true to our underpinning faith, but with a deep respect for the integrity of other religious traditions . . . and for the religious freedom of each person.’”

- Religious Education in Church of England Schools A Statement of Entitlement, The Church of England Education Office, 2019

Implementation - How our curriculum is taught

At The King’s school, a wide range of teaching methods and ways of recording learning are used to enable all children to reach their potential by becoming religiously literate. As a core subject, high importance is placed on teaching children to use correct terminology and allowing children to develop as collaborative learners as well as independent thinkers. A minimum of 5% of curriculum time is devoted to RE, with class teaching being enriched by visits to religious places of worship. Children are taught to reflect on and make links between their learning and their life experiences. Teaching is supported and enhanced by our incumbents and other local religious leaders. Children demonstrate their learning through art and role play, as well as written reflections on religious stories and beliefs.

In EYFS, children predominately learn about Christianity but also explore and learn about are different Hindu and Jewish festivals.

In Key stage 1, children learn about Islam and Judaism alongside Christianity. Children are encouraged to ask questions about what they find interesting in religious stories and to reflect on things that are important or special to them.

Trips, Visits and Experiences

• Local church
• Synagogue
• Gurdwara
• In school visit from an incumbent
• Handling of sacred texts and religious artefacts

In Key Stage 2, children learn about Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism alongside Christianity. Children are encouraged to describe and explain how and why people of different religions live their lives and how religion helps guide believers. Children compare and contrast religions and think about how faith can influence the wider community.

Trips, Visits and Experiences

• St Luke’s Church
• St Winifred’s Church
• Mosque
• Mandir
• Buddhist Temple
• Visits from incumbents
• In school visits from parents to share religious beliefs
• Handling of sacred texts and religious artefacts

Impact- A cohesive learning journey

Children develop a deep respect and understanding of world religions different from their own. Children will be able to participate in reasoned and informed discussions about religion, showing a high regard for our British values of respect, tolerance and individual liberty.

Children develop:

• as curious, empathetic and reflective thinkers
• a deepening understanding of their spiritual and moral selves
• a sense of self, considering the type of life they want to lead
• a strong foundation of the Christian faith
• a religious vocabulary and understanding of symbolism
• an understanding of different cultures and ways of life

Pupils leave The King’s School at the end of year 6 with a strong foundation in Christianity and other world faiths on which to further develop their knowledge, thinking, spirituality and personal growth, fully equipped with the skills to embrace the secondary school of their choice, and with core values to guide them on their life journey with the knowledge that God loves us all