Religious Education

RE

Our Silver Thread - 'Empathy and Understanding'

At Twyning School, we follow the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education. We view Religious Education as a major element in the spiritual, moral and cultural education provision and as a means by which children acquire knowledge and understanding of major world religions. They gain an appreciation of ultimate questions and responses to them, and an opportunity to develop their own beliefs and values.

The principle aim of Religious Education is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living. (Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus 2017-2022)

The RE curriculum at our school is organised to support the development of childrens’ knowledge of religious and non-religious beliefs while exploring the practices and ways of life, enabling children to make links between these. It also develops children’s knowledge and understanding of the different members of our rich and diverse community. Knowledge and skills are supported by first-hand ACE experiences, including visits to local places of worship and visits from different faith communities. Knowledge and skills are mapped to support children’s understanding of religion and faith. The RE curriculum is also designed to support positive attitudes and values, and encourage children to reflect and relate learning to their own experience.

We are committed to providing our children with an exciting and positive learning environment, in which they have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of religions to support their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. The children at Twyning school will learn about different religious beliefs as directed by the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus 2017-2022– though where different opportunities occur to develop diversity children may experience learning opportunities beyond what is listed below:

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

Key Stage 1 Christians, Jews and Muslims.

Key Stage 2 Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Jews.

RE is taught weekly with coverage planned over a three-year rolling programme. Learning is evidenced through a variety of outcomes, including written pieces, artwork and photographs.

Alongside a whole school approach to celebrating different religious and cultural celebrations, the RE curriculum provides the means to celebrate the diversity of the school community and promote positive images of people in the wider community, including their beliefs, traditions, culture, language and history. It ensures that children develop spiritually, academically, emotionally and morally to promote and realise a better understanding of themselves and others and to equip with the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities of living in a rapidly changing, multicultural world.

Whole School ACE day - Hindu Visitor (March 2022)

The whole school spent the morning with our visitor Janardhan Narendra learning about different aspects of Hinduism and learning a variety of traditional dances.

Whole School trip to the Mosque in Gloucester (July 2022)

The whole school had a day out visiting the Masjid-E-Noor Mosque in Gloucester to develop our understanding of other religions and cultures. The children were made to feel very welcome by Imam hassan and learnt all about the Muslim faith. They were shown how Muslims prepare for prayer using water to wash as a sign of respect. Please see a selection of photos below:

Jewish Visitor (February 2023)

Children in Key Stage 1 and 2 enjoyed our virtual visit from members of the synagouge in Cheltenham - the visit inspired them to find out more about the Jewish faith.

Trips to Tewkesbury Abbey and Trinity Church - Year 4/5/6 (July 2023)

The children enjoyed visiting the two churches learning about the different key features within a church and further developing their understanding of Chritianity.

Whole School ACE day - Hindu Visitor (September 2023)

The whole school spent time in different Hindu worksops to further develop their knowledge and understanding. The children in Reception enjoyed dressing up in traditional clothes, Y1/2/3 learnt several different dances and created music, Y4/5/6 spent time looking at artefacts and working with Daxa to further develop thier knowledge of Hinduism. Please see a selection of photographs below.

Trinity Church Visitor (December 2023)

We were visited by Lucy from Trinity Church to learn about Christingle and what Christians believe Christmas is all about.

Muslim Visitors (February 2024)

The whole school spent time with our visitors. The Iman explained how Muslim families live and some of the key elements to their religion. The chlidren also saw different artefacts including  prayer beads and garemts that children/adults would wear to the mosque. The children in reception enjoyed listening to stories about some of their prophets.