At Ark Bentworth, we believe Religious Education should reflect the rich and diverse community here in Hammersmith and Fulham, in London, across the UK and around the world. Our curriculum revolves around a broad and balanced view of how religious beliefs have shaped our world and the impact of religion on individual and collective experience. Our curriculum ensures that learning reflects that British religious traditions are in the main Christian, while exploring the range of beliefs, symbols, and actions that underpin the world’s major faiths. The curriculum aspires to develop an understanding of differences and similarities which inform religions and worldviews in our community and beyond. Lessons are planned to provide students with rich and varied examples of rituals, celebration, worship and pilgrimages while exploring questions of belonging, meaning, morality, purpose and truth. The sharing of understanding through experiences and dialogue with others supports the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils. It also promotes the British values of interfaith harmony and co-operation and the combatting of prejudice and discrimination. 

Pupils in EYFS will encounter Christianity and other faiths as part of their growing sense of self, their own community and their place within it. 

Pupils in Key Stage 1 will be introduced to the following faiths and worldviews: Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Humanist, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhism. 

Pupils in Key Stage 2 will develop and deepen their understanding of the following faiths and worldviews: Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Humanist, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhism. Pupils are provided with opportunities to acquire knowledge of key facts and concepts alongside developing skills such as asking perceptive questions, analysing artefacts and evidence, thinking critically and understanding different perspectives. 

 

There are three strands to the RE curriculum: Believing, Expressing and Living.  

Believing: Religious beliefs, teachings, sources; questions about meaning, purpose and truth.  

Expressing: Religious and spiritual forms of expression; questions about identity and diversity 

Living: Religious practices and ways of living; questions about values and commitments 

 

The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils: 

A. Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that they can: 

  1. describe, explain and analyse beliefs and practices, recognising the diversity which exists within and between communities and amongst individuals 
  2. identify, investigate and respond to questions posed, and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews 
  3. appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meaning. 

B. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews, so that they can: 

  1. explain reasonably their ideas about how beliefs, practices and forms of expression influence individuals and communities 
  2. express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues 
  3. appreciate and appraise varied dimensions of religion. 

C. Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews, so that they can: 

  1. find out about and investigate key concepts and questions of belonging, meaning, purpose and truth, responding creatively 
  2. enquire into what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all 
  3. articulate beliefs, values and commitments clearly in order to explain why they may be important in their own and other people’s lives. 

 

Finally, as an inclusive school, Ark Bentworth values difference and diversity within our school community and the wider world.  As such, Religious Education is delivered within the context of our school aims and values: 

  • School Aims: Aiming High, Achieving Together 
  • School Values: Respect, Resilience, Generosity, Honesty, Independence, Happiness 

Religious Education at Ark Bentworth