Why do we learn Religious Education?
The Ark John Archer Religious Education Curriculum, developed in line with the Wandsworth SACRE, aims to develop pupils’ understanding of how beliefs and values are formed and upheld within, and between, different parts of contemporary society, and how these beliefs influence the choices and actions of both individuals and groups within the local community and on a global scale. Pupils develop a progression of knowledge and understanding about a diversity of religions, beliefs and values, drawing upon this knowledge to reflect upon how religion and beliefs (whether religious or non-religious) inform their own values and are reflected in their actions, behaviours and expressed opinions.
Our approach
The curriculum has been developed to focus and build on six principal religions: Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Sikhism. Pupils develop a deep understanding of the key features, teachings and beliefs of six key religions, with a careful and consistent progression of knowledge that allows the pupil to make the necessary connections to piece their learning together throughout their learning journey. As children progress through the Religious Education Curriculum, explicit links and connections are made to support pupils to continually build upon the knowledge and skills they have accumulated in previous year groups.
There are 6 full days dedicated to the teaching and learning of Religious Education planned throughout the school year. All year groups and pupils learn about the same religion, on the same day, at the same time – RE Drop Down Days are a shared experience and a celebrated day each half term.
Year 1
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Hinduism: Pupils explore Hindu stories about the Gods, including Rama and Sita; the childhood of Krishna and Ganesh. They learn the importance of key values. |
Christianity: Pupils share key stories about God and Jesus, exploring his role as a teacher and his relationship with disciples. They learn the importance of key values, such as forgiveness and the importance caring for others. |
Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Buddhism: Pupils discover key features of the life of Buddha through significant stories, including the birth and upbringing. They learn about Buddhist teachings; the values of kindness, generosity, truthfulness and patience. |
Judaism: Pupils discover Jewish ideas of God. They learn about the importance of the Torah in Jewish life and stories that are told. Pupils explore the key values outlined in the Ten Commandments and the meaning of the teaching, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. |
Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Islam: Pupils explore the ideas of God, Allah, as the creator and one true god. They learn about the role of the Qur’an in sharing stories that inform key beliefs. |
Sikhism: Pupils explore key stories about Gurus, discovering how these inform values and beliefs. They learn the importance of the family and sharing and explore the idea that all humans are equal before God. |
Year 2
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Hinduism: Pupils discover the stories, symbols and celebrations associated with important Hindu festivals, including Diwali and Holi. They explore forms of worship. | Christianity: Pupils discover why the Bible is a special book for Christians and how it is used to inform their faith. They learn about the Church as a place of worship and explore rites of passage: marriage and baptism. |
Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Buddhism: Pupils learn the important features of the sangha (community). They discover the importance of stories and symbols including the Buddha image; the values of peacefulness and generosity; the Jakata Tales |
Judaism: Pupils discover stories, symbols and celebrations associated with important festivals, including Shabbat, Hanukkah and Pesach. They explore aspects of life within a traditional Jewish home. |
Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Islam: Pupils discover the importance of daily Salat (prayer) and how this is performed. They learn about the different festivals of Eid and their significance, exploring associated stories, symbols, celebrations and traditions. |
Sikhism: Pupils explore special ceremonies, including the naming ceremony and marriage. They discover the importance of the symbols of belonging; Kesh; Kangha; Kara; Kachera; Kirpan. Pupils read stories associated with key festivals, including birth of Guru Nanak and Diwali. |
Year 3
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Hinduism: Pupils explore important Hindu stories of the Gods, including Rama’s exile and return; descent of Ganga. They discover how Brahman (God) is one, |
Christianity: Pupils discover Christian ideas of God as depicted in stories, songs, pictures and prayers. They explore significant aspects of Jesus’ life and teachings. |
Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Buddhism: Pupils explore stories about Gotama Buddha; how he found an answer to all suffering; birth and upbringing; four signs of the renunciation; years spent in a forest; enlightenment; teaching; passing away. |
Judaism: Pupils explore different illustrations of the nature of God, through psalms, songs, prayers and stories in the Tenakh. They discover how ideas of God are expressed through the first four Ten Commandments. |
Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
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Sikhism: Pupils explore ideas of God as the creator and sustainer, where all human beings are equal. They discover the belief in karma and importance of gurus. |
Year 4
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Hinduism: Pupils explore the significance of symbols including Aum; lotus flower; swastika. They explore the concept of diversity within the Hindu communities. |
Christianity: Pupils discover the significance of the Bible as a source for Christian beliefs. They learn about Christian values, including the Ten Commandments. |
Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Buddhism: Pupils discover stories that illustrate Buddhist values, including the Monkey King and Kisagotami. They explore aspects of dhamma (teachings). |
Judaism: Pupils discover the importance of the Torah (rules and laws; sayings and stories) and how this is expressed through study and a cycle of readings. |
Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Islam: Pupils learn about the Qur’an and how it was revealed. They explore stories from the life and traditions of the prophet Muhammad and other prophets. |
Sikhism: Pupils explore key stories about the ten Gurus. They discover the importance of values within the religion, including equality and respect for all creation. |
Year 5
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Hinduism: Pupils discover values of respect for life; God; other citizens; the cow; all forms of life; Ahimsa and its implications. They explore ideas associated with the cycle of life; creation; preservation; reincarnation. |
Christianity: Pupils explore teaching about specific values; love; forgiveness; justice; commitment; and the stories that teach these. They explore stories, symbols and celebrations that mark key events in teaching. |
Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Buddhism: Pupils discover the distinctive features of the Buddhist sangha (community); the roles of ordained and lay people; lives of monks, nuns and priests; symbols. |
Judaism: Pupils explore the key values set out in the Torah and the Ten Commandments. They discover important features and rituals of traditional family life. |
Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Islam: Pupils explore the importance of key values, including aspects of family life, social life and the role of the mosque. They discover the 5 Pillars of Islam. |
Sikhism: Pupils discover the importance of worship in the Gurdwara and how respect is shown to the Gurus. They explore the significance of important ceremonies. |
Year 6
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Hinduism: Pupils explore stories and symbols associated with festivals, including the birthdays of Rama and Krishna; Nine Nights festival; Night of Shiva. They discover the role of puja at home and the Mandir. |
Christianity: Pupils study different types of worship and rites of passage across contrasting denominations of Christianity. They discover how buildings, artefacts, icons, prayer and symbols play a crucial role in worship |
Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Buddhism: Pupils explore the significance of the festival of Wesak, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha through key stories and symbols. They explore the symbolism and meaning of images within Buddhism, including the Jakata Tales and lotus. |
Judaism: Pupils explore the significance of the Ark; Synagogue as a community centre and place of prayer; the role of the Rabbi; the ritual of Bar and Bat Mitzvah; the story of Sukkot (the festival of God’s protection). |
Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Islam: Pupils explore the significance of the Mosque and its main features. They discover the role of the Imam, importance of the Qiblah and significance of Jumu’ah. |
Sikhism: Pupils explore the role of the Gurdwara and the key features that form a part of worship. They learn about the significance of the five K’s and Ik Onkar. |