At Churchill Church of England Primary School we use the Kent Agreed Syllabus for Education 2012 which aims to provide a high quality experience of Religious Education for all pupils by:
Promoting personal respect for pupils’ own world views and those of others
Deepening understanding of their own and other people’s beliefs and opinions
Fostering an enquiring and open mind
Encouraging the confidence to ask ultimate questions
Developing the skills of listening, communicating and empathising
The syllabus focuses on Christianity, which is studied throughout each key stage and the other principle religions represented in Great Britain. These are Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.
In Religious Education lessons children are encouraged through a creative approach to learning, which includes drama, music, film clips, art, cookery and kinaesthetic reflective activities, to share their own views and beliefs. They learn how religions relate to each other, recognising both similarities and differences within and between religions and are given opportunities to reflect and deepen their own understanding.
The children frequently visit St Mary’s church, not just for special services, but for key learning opportunities. The clergy from St. Mary’s also come into school and are part of the children’s learning experience, often with very detailed and searching questions and topics being asked by the children. The children also have the opportunity to visit other religious places of worship e.g. mosque to deepen their understanding of the significance of religion in the lives of others.