Religious Education

At Woods we use an external resource known as Understanding Christianity. This programme of study, sourced and provided by the Chruch of England is used to help all teachers support pupils in developing their own thinking and their understanding of Christianity, as a contribution to their understanding of the world and their own experience within it. We aim to see pupils leave school with a coherent understanding of Christian belief and practice as they explore the significant theological concepts within Christianity as part of developing their wider religious, theological and cultural literacy. This programme is taught alongside the Nottinghamshire Agreed Syllabus. Our RE sessions offer the children a range of ways to find out what they think and feel about ‘The big questions’ but also to be taught what a number of different faith communities value and believe. We aim for our lessons to not just be about sitting and listening to facts but to engage the children in creativity, debate and active learning. We feel it is important for children to be able to ask questions and to learn that we are not all the same but everything we have to say is valued.

Vision

At Woods we ‘grow together’ following Jesus’ example to ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’ (Matthew 22:37-39) because through love for one another, we can build a strong learning community ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to flourish. Religious Education has an important part to play in helping pupils to do this by promoting the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural and intellectual development. It also helps them to gain a greater understanding of themselves and an awareness of the needs of others. This enables pupils to be better equipped to cope with the responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

With this in mind, we believe that the teaching of R.E. should be a child centred, exciting journey. Children will learn to understand the world and their place in it, know that all members of the school community show respect and tolerance for others, and develop a better cultural awareness. Children will have the opportunity to reflect and develop their spiritual awareness. Thinking skills will be developed through child-led philosophical discussions.