Religious and World Views Subject Statement
Perseverance – Our children learn the value of perseverance in Religious Education by engaging with challenging questions about belief, meaning and identity. Children are taught that understanding different religions and worldviews takes time and requires thoughtful discussion and reflection. They are encouraged to think deeply, revisit ideas and consider different perspectives throughout their learning.
Ambition – We inspire our children to broaden their understanding of the world and think deeply about life’s big questions. By exploring a range of religious and worldviews, our children are encouraged to aim high in their thinking and we support them to grow in confidence to articulate their own opinions and learn from the beliefs and experiences of others.
Curiosity – The value of curiosity is central to our approach in teaching Religious Education. Our children are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions and explore how and why people live according to their beliefs. Through enquiry, stories, artefacts, visitors, trips and reflection, our children develop an interest in different cultures and traditions and begin to appreciate the diversity of religious and worldviews.
Kindness – We help our children to approach their learning about religion and worldviews with kindness, empathy and respect. By learning about the beliefs, traditions and experiences of others, pupils develop understanding and appreciation for people with different backgrounds, supporting them to become compassionate and responsible members of our community and beyond.
Curriculum Intent
At St. John’s we aim to give our children opportunities to learn about a range of different religions and worldviews that reflect the diversity of cultures and traditions in Britain and beyond. We want to promote a secure understanding of different beliefs and traditions in order to equip children to be respectful of others’ beliefs and formulate their own opinions. We aim to support children to develop an understanding of themselves and their place in the world, and to reflect on their own values as well as those of others.
Through the Kapow Primary’s Religion and Worldviews scheme of work, which aligns with the National Curriculum aims, we aim to inspire pupils to become curious, reflective and open-minded thinkers. The curriculum is designed to give our children a broad and balanced understanding of different beliefs and ways of seeing the world.
Learning is organised around three important strands which run through every unit of work. They are:
Substantive Knowledge
Children build their understanding of important facts and ideas about religions and worldviews. They learn about key beliefs, practices and concepts that help explain how people live according to their faith or worldview.
Disciplinary Knowledge
Children learn how to study religion and worldviews. They develop skills such as asking questions, interpreting sources, discussing different viewpoints and thinking critically about beliefs and traditions.
Personal Knowledge
Children are encouraged to reflect on their own ideas, experiences and values. They learn that everyone has their own perspective shaped by their family, culture and experiences, and they consider how their own views may develop over time.
Together, these strands help pupils develop knowledge, understanding and reflection as they explore religion and worldviews.
Curriculum Implementation
Religious Education at St. John’s is taught weekly through Kapow Primary’s Religion and Worldviews carefully sequenced scheme of work. The scheme of work uses a spiral curriculum which means that key concepts, religions and big questions are revisited throughout the children’s time at primary school with increasing depth. This allows children to build on prior learning, make connections between ideas and develop a deeper understanding over time.
Oracy is central to the subject as lessons include discussion, enquiry and reflection, helping pupils analyse different perspectives, ask thoughtful questions and engage respectfully with diverse beliefs and traditions.
The lessons follow a clear structure to support learning and engagement. Each lesson begins with a recap and recall activity to revisit prior learning and strengthen pupils’ memory of key knowledge. An attention grabber then introduces the new learning through a short, engaging activity designed to spark curiosity. The main event forms the core of the lesson, where pupils develop their understanding through teacher modelling, guided practice and independent or collaborative tasks. Lessons conclude with a wrapping up activity, allowing pupils to reflect on their learning, review key ideas and demonstrate their understanding.
Adaptive teaching strategies such as scaffolding, visual supports, multi-sensory learning and structured tasks, to support different needs ensures that work is inclusive and accessible for all children, so everyone can participate and make progress.
Curriculum Impact
Formative assessment is embedded throughout so teachers can monitor understanding and respond to children’s needs. Teachers use questioning, observation and discussion to check understanding, encourage critical thinking and identify misconceptions. Lessons include pause points and retrieval activities to reinforce prior learning and assess retention. Success criteria and short reflections at the end of the lesson as well as the assessment quiz and knowledge catcher at the end of each unit allows children to review their learning, while helping teachers gauge progress and adapt future teaching.
Through the teaching of Religious Education at St. John’s, children develop a secure understanding of a range of religions and worldviews. They become confident in asking questions, discussing different perspectives and reflecting on their own values and beliefs. As a result, children grow in respect, empathy and understanding of diversity, supporting them to become thoughtful and responsible members of society.