Religion & World Views

Intent

At Manor Primary School & Nursery, we believe that Religion and Worldviews plays a vital role in preparing pupils to live successfully in a diverse and interconnected world. Through the study of religions, beliefs and non-religious worldviews, pupils develop knowledge, understanding and respect for the rich diversity of human experience. In a school community that reflects a wide range of cultures, faiths, languages and backgrounds, we want every child to feel seen, valued and represented whilst also developing a genuine curiosity about the experiences and perspectives of others.

Our curriculum is designed to provide pupils with mirrors, windows and doors. It acts as a mirror, helping children to see their own identities, beliefs, cultures and experiences reflected and valued within the curriculum. It serves as a window, enabling pupils to encounter and learn about the lived experiences, beliefs and traditions of people whose backgrounds may differ from their own. Finally, it provides a door, equipping pupils with the knowledge, empathy and confidence to engage positively with the diverse communities they belong to and will encounter throughout their lives, both within Manor and beyond.

At Manor Primary School & Nursery, we are proud of the rich religious, cultural and linguistic diversity within our school community. We believe this diversity is one of our greatest strengths and actively celebrate the range of identities, traditions, beliefs and experiences represented by our pupils and families. Our Religion and Worldviews curriculum draws upon and values this diversity, creating opportunities for pupils to share their own experiences, learn from one another and develop a deeper appreciation of the communities that make up our school and wider society.

This journey begins in the Early Years through Understanding the World, where children explore similarities and differences between themselves and others, learn about special people, places, celebrations and traditions, and begin to recognise that people hold different beliefs and values. These foundations are built upon progressively throughout Key Stages 1 and 2.

Through our curriculum, pupils encounter a broad range of religious and non-religious worldviews and develop an understanding that diversity exists both between and within communities. They learn that people may hold different beliefs and values whilst sharing common experiences, aspirations and responsibilities as members of society.

Through the Kapow Religion and Worldviews curriculum, pupils develop secure substantive knowledge about religions and worldviews alongside the disciplinary skills required to investigate, interpret, enquire, analyse, reflect and evaluate. We aim to foster curiosity, critical thinking and respectful dialogue, encouraging pupils to ask thoughtful questions, consider multiple perspectives and engage with complex ideas about meaning, identity, belonging and morality.

Through Religion and Worldviews, we seek to develop pupils who embody our school values. We want pupils to be ready to engage with new ideas, challenge assumptions and make sense of the diverse world around them; respectful of the beliefs, cultures and experiences of others, recognising both commonality and difference; and safe in expressing their own views, knowing that disagreement can be explored thoughtfully within a culture of mutual respect and understanding.

Implementation

Religion and Worldviews is taught through discrete lessons from Reception to Year 6 using the Kapow Religion and Worldviews curriculum as the foundation for planning and delivery. Learning is carefully sequenced to build knowledge and understanding over time, enabling pupils to make meaningful connections between beliefs, practices, traditions and lived experiences. The curriculum is designed to develop pupils' understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews through progressive enquiry and the revisiting of key concepts over time.

The curriculum is structured around three interconnected strands: substantive knowledge, disciplinary knowledge and personal knowledge. Through these strands, pupils build their understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews, learn how knowledge about religion and worldviews is constructed and explored, and reflect upon their own experiences, beliefs and perspectives in relation to their learning.

Learning is intentionally structured to promote our values of Ready, Respectful and Safe. Pupils are encouraged to be ready learners by approaching enquiry with curiosity and an openness to different perspectives. They demonstrate respect by listening carefully to others, considering differing viewpoints and developing an appreciation of the diversity within and between religious and non-religious worldviews. Classrooms provide a safe environment where pupils can ask questions, share opinions and reflect on their own beliefs without fear of judgement.

Pupils explore a range of religious and non-religious worldviews through enquiry-led learning that encourages them to:

• Develop knowledge of beliefs, teachings, practices and traditions.
• Understand how worldviews influence individuals, communities and societies.
• Explore questions of meaning, identity, morality and purpose.
• Compare and contrast different perspectives and traditions.
• Reflect on their own experiences and viewpoints.
• Construct and justify informed opinions using evidence and reasoning.

Teachers use a range of approaches, including discussion, storytelling, philosophical enquiry, debate, reflection, analysis of sources and collaborative learning. Lessons provide opportunities for pupils to think critically, ask questions and engage respectfully with differing viewpoints. Discussion protocols and classroom culture ensure pupils feel safe to contribute whilst learning how to disagree respectfully and constructively.

Where possible, learning is enriched through visits, visitors and engagement with faith and non-faith communities. These experiences help pupils develop an authentic understanding of lived religion and worldviews and strengthen links between their learning and the wider community.

Teachers adapt learning to ensure all pupils can access and succeed within the curriculum. Scaffolds, visual supports, adaptive teaching strategies and carefully structured discussions enable all learners, including those with SEND and pupils learning English as an additional language, to participate fully and make progress.

Religion and Worldviews also contributes to wider curriculum priorities, including personal development, British Values, equality, diversity and inclusion. Meaningful links are made with subjects such as History, Geography, English, Art, Music and PSHE, helping pupils understand the influence of religion and worldviews across different times, places and cultures.

Impact

As a result of our Religion and Worldviews curriculum, pupils develop a secure understanding of a range of religious and non-religious worldviews and can discuss beliefs, practices and traditions with increasing confidence, accuracy and respect.

Pupils are ready for the next stage of their education because they have developed the knowledge, vocabulary and critical thinking skills needed to engage with complex ideas and diverse perspectives. They demonstrate curiosity about the world around them and confidently ask thoughtful questions, make connections and justify their opinions through reasoned discussion.

Pupils are respectful of the beliefs, values and experiences of others. They recognise and celebrate the diversity within our school community and wider society, understanding that people may hold different worldviews whilst sharing common humanity and responsibilities.

Pupils are safe in expressing their own views and beliefs, having learned how to participate in meaningful dialogue, challenge ideas respectfully and engage positively with those whose perspectives differ from their own.

Through the mirrors, windows and doors provided by the curriculum, pupils develop a deeper understanding of themselves, gain insight into the experiences of others and are equipped to engage positively with the wider world. They leave Manor as reflective, knowledgeable and respectful young people who are ready to contribute positively to modern Britain and beyond.

The impact of the curriculum is monitored through pupil voice, learning walks, lesson observations, work scrutiny and ongoing assessment within lessons. Assessment is embedded throughout the Kapow Religion and Worldviews curriculum, with teachers using retrieval practice, questioning, discussion and enquiry-based outcomes to assess pupils' understanding of both substantive and disciplinary knowledge. Pupils regularly revisit and build upon prior learning, enabling teachers to check the retention and application of knowledge over time. Information gathered through ongoing assessment informs future teaching, addresses misconceptions and ensures all pupils continue to make progress in their understanding of religion and worldviews. Kapow's progression of knowledge and skills supports teachers in making informed judgements about pupils' development throughout their journey at Manor Primary School & Nursery.