Religious Education

The value of religious education: Are we listening?

Intent

At Orchard Primary Academy we aim to provide high quality Religious Education to promote spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and allow the children to understand the concept of diversity. As part of a broad and balanced curriculum, Orchard Primary Academy follows ‘Believing and Belonging’, the agreed syllabus for Religious Education in Kirklees.

Our RE is taught through an enquiry based approach, which aims to give children the knowledge, critical thinking skills, open minded and respectful attitudes with which to investigate the world of religion and beliefs, and make their own decisions about what this means to them, whilst empathising with what it means to those who hold those beliefs. It also aims to enable children to grow spiritually by developing their awareness and skills of reflection, their experience of awe and wonder and their appreciation of stillness and silence.

At Orchard Primary Academy, we believe the RE curriculum is fundamental for the holistic development of the child - physically, mentally and spiritually. It lays the foundations for respectfulness and open-mindedness in a diverse society, striving for better relationships and understanding in our shared world.

Implementation

Each week our children take part in RE lessons which follow the guidance from our local agreed Syllabus, ‘Believing and Belonging’. Our children will learn about and encounter different religions and faiths, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism and non religious views such as Humanism. This allows our children to explore, engage and reflect on principal religions and their practices, which, results in enabling them to hold informed opinions about the world they live in and the people around them. Lessons take an enquiry-based approach to teaching and learning through key questions. Each key question for enquiry enables children to express their opinion, learn from that religion and develop their understanding before it requires an answer that weighs up ‘evidence’ and reaches a conclusion based on this.

Our lessons begin in the EYFS, where children begin to learn about respect, belonging and cultural diversity. In this time, they are introduced to a range of religious and other worldwide views, through story and celebrations, as well as exploring their own beliefs and sense of belonging. These foundations are built upon in KS1, where they will focus on Christianity and Islam. In this time, they will continue to focus their enquiries on religious celebrations and rituals. This will help them develop critical thinking skills, reflect into their own thoughts and feelings, grow subject knowledge and nurture spiritual development. This spiritual growth continues when the children reach KS2, where they will be covering Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism and Sikhism. Using the reflective and critical thinking skills they have learnt, children will apply subject knowledge and balanced opinions, to explore and challenge ‘Key Questions’, through discussion and research.

At Orchard, spiritual growth and the development of morality is not just confined to Religious Education, but is woven throughout the heart of the school. You will find it threaded through our ‘Curriculum Drivers’; Respect, Aspiration and Resilience. We celebrate a range of faiths, religions and celebrations throughout the year in whole school or class assemblies. We also acknowledge the rights of the child, including, each “…child has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion”.

We also strive to ensure that we provide children with cross-curricula links to embed Religious Education further. Through PHSE and SMSC opportunities within school, we adopt a holistic approach to provide enriching experiences that supports, respectful attitudes, empathy for others and a willingness acceptance. We also develop vocabulary through strong links with History and Geography. The use of books in RE develops children’s reading skills, curiosity and a stimulus for learning and also, provides the knowledge of other languages and cultural capital.

Please see below for our RE overview

Impact

We believe, that through regular RE teaching, children will be able to make links between their own informed beliefs and that of the wider world, in order to create cohesive communities. They will be able to refer to other religions and cultures, with reference to enjoyable experiences, that will promote inquisitive minds, respect, acceptance and understanding for all those around them, including themselves. The children will value difference and diversity and be able to ask questions about meaning and purpose in life, with the ability to engage in respectful and reasonable disagreement. Ultimately, we strive for children having a strong moral compass, who can show tolerance and acceptance towards other cultures, including their religious or other worldwide views.

Wider World Experiences

This academic year, we have been delighted to offer a diverse range of cultural celebrations and experiences for our pupils, expanding their understanding of the world beyond their immediate environment. Through these meaningful activities, our students have had the opportunity to engage with different cultures and faiths, fostering a sense of inclusion, respect, and curiosity about the world around them.

Welcoming Spring with the Holi Colour Run

We marked the arrival of spring with a vibrant and joyful Holi Colour Run, which was a highlight of the school calendar. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, is a significant Hindu celebration that symbolises the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring. The festival is characterised by the playful throwing of coloured powders, symbolising unity, joy, and the shedding of past grievances. Through participating in this event, the children learned about the cultural and religious significance of Holi, including its roots in Hindu mythology and the importance of forgiveness and renewal. They explored the themes of unity and togetherness, appreciating how festivals can serve to bring people together regardless of background. The colour run itself provided a fun and engaging way for the pupils to experience the joyful spirit of Holi, reinforcing the values of friendship and positivity. We are sure you will enjoy looking through the gallery of photographs capturing this vibrant celebration.

Colour Run

Eid Project

Our class ambassadors took part in an enriching pen pal project with a local school where the majority of children come from Muslim backgrounds and faith traditions. This project created a meaningful platform for interfaith learning and cultural exchange. As part of this initiative, our pupils gained valuable insights into the practices and significance of Ramadan and Eid. They learned about the spiritual discipline of fasting, the importance of prayer and reflection, and the values of charity and community associated with these holy periods. The children also had the opportunity to visit their pen pals at their school, where they collaborated on a creative art project that is now proudly displayed in our school. This collaborative experience not only deepened our pupils' understanding of Islamic culture and traditions but also strengthened social bonds and promoted empathy and mutual respect. The shared creative work stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, reinforcing the importance of unity despite differences in background and belief.

Our pupils have also benefited from our established links with Dewsbury Minster. We have participated in several special celebrations and workshops that provided valuable insights into Christian faith and practices. These visits included learning about key Christian festivals, understanding the symbolism behind religious rituals, and exploring the history and significance of the Minster within the local community. Exposing children to different faiths and beliefs from a young age has profound educational and social benefits. It fosters open-mindedness, respect, and a sense of global citizenship. Understanding different religious and cultural traditions helps children develop empathy and reduces prejudice, equipping them with the social and emotional skills needed to navigate an increasingly diverse world.

We firmly believe in the importance of providing our pupils with opportunities to engage with a wide range of cultural and religious traditions. These experiences help to build a school environment rooted in respect, understanding, and harmony. By introducing pupils to different perspectives and encouraging meaningful dialogue, we are nurturing a generation of thoughtful and inclusive individuals who value diversity and seek to build connections across communities.

Within school, Religious education is taught through -

Assemblies