Religious Education

We aim to create a firm foundation for a lifetime of learning through the living of our Christian values and through studying deep theological ideas in Christianity and a range of other faiths so all children can better understand themselves and others. See fuller aims below.

As a Christian school, the majority of our religious education is Christian-based. We also explore other major religions so that our children grow up with an understanding of the world in which they live.

Our children have the opportunity to visit different places of worship and our RE days are very popular. We have children at school from many faiths or from none at all. Parents have the option of withdrawing their children from the RE syllabus should they choose to do so.

We have developed a bespoke RE curriculum based on "Understanding Christianity" and Southwark Diocesan Board of Education units. This has enabled our teachers and children to gain a deeper theological understanding of the Christian faith and a level of understanding of the six main faiths and non-faith based worldviews.

Religious Education Curriculum Aims (schemas for learning)

Planning Layers (for the Curriculum) BG 2021-23

Curriculum Map (including RE Days)

Christian teaching/RE and school values are well embedded and our son shares what he has learnt at school and during celebration assemblies. The Christmas performance was incredibly special!

-Parent/Carer Survey 2022

God

Fundamental to Christian belief is the existence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Creation

The universe and human life are God’s good creation. Humans are made in the image of God.

Incarnation

The New Testament presents Jesus as the answer: the Messiah and Saviour, who will repair the effects of sin and the Fall and offer a way for humans to be at one with God again. Incarnation means that Jesus is God in the flesh, and that, in Jesus, God came to live among humans.

Fall

Humans have a tendency to go their own way rather than keep their place in relation to their Creator. This attitude is called sin, and Genesis 3 gives an account of this rebellion, popularly called ‘the Fall’. This describes a catastrophic separation between God and humans, between humans and each other, and between humans and the environment. This idea that humans are ‘fallen’ and in need of rescue (or salvation) sets out the root cause of many problems for humanity.

People of God

The Old Testament tells the story of God’s plan to reverse the impact of the Fall, to save humanity. It involves choosing a people who will model a restored relationship with God, who will attract all other people back to God. The Bible narrative includes the ups and downs of this plan, including the message of the prophets, who tried to persuade people to stick with God. The plan appears to end in failure with the people of God exiled, and then returning, awaiting a ‘Messiah’ — a rescuer.

Gospel

Jesus’ incarnation is ‘good news’ for all people. (‘Gospel’ means ‘good news’.) His life, teaching and ministry embody what it is like to be one of the people of God, what it means to live in relationship with God. Jesus’ example and teaching emphasise loving one’s neighbour — particularly the weak and vulnerable — as part of loving God.

Salvation

Jesus’ death and resurrection lead to the rescue or salvation of humans. He opens the way back to God. Through Jesus, sin is dealt with, forgiveness offered, and the relationship between God and humans is restored.

Kingdom of God

The idea of the ‘Kingdom of God’ reflects God’s ideal for human life in the world — a vision of life lived in the way God intended for human beings. Christians look forward to a time when God’s rule is fulfilled at some future point, in a restored, transformed heaven and earth. Meanwhile, they seek to live this attractive life as in God’s Kingdom, following Jesus’ example, inspired and empowered by God’s Spirit.

World Faiths

Children better understand themselves and the world they live in by learning about the six main world religions. These are: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism.

Worldviews (not based on Faith)

Children will know, or learn, that there are many different worldviews. Many people have a religious faith, whilst many do not.

The aims of Religious Education at Bishop Gilpin:

To enable pupils to know about and understand Christianity as a living faith that influences the lives of people worldwide and as the religion that has most shaped British culture and heritage.
To engage with religious teaching and theological ideas to develop an understanding of a range of religions/ religious, spiritual and philosophical ideas.
To enable pupils to know and understand about other major world religions and world views, their impact on society, culture and the wider world, enabling pupils to express ideas and insights.
To develop critical thinking about the world around us.
To contribute to the development of pupils’ own spiritual/philosophical convictions, exploring and enriching their own beliefs and values.
The expectation is that all pupils are religiously literate and as a minimum pupils are able to:

Give a theologically informed and thoughtful account of Christianity as a living and diverse faith.
Show an informed and respectful attitude to religions and world views in their search for God and meaning.
Engage in meaningful and informed dialogue with those of other faiths and none.
Reflect critically and responsibly on their own spiritual, philosophical and ethical convictions
To gain historical perspective by placing their growing knowledge into different contexts, understanding the connections between local, regional, national and international history; between cultural, economic, military, political, religious and social history; and between short- and long-term timescales.

Meeting the above aims will also ensure statutory obligations are met and RE is in line with the Church of England Statement of Entitlement

Curriculum Hours

EYFS: continuous provision

KS1 : 1 x 60 mins plus 1 RE Day every half term.

KS2: 1 x 60 mins plus 1 RE Day every half term.

Experiences in the Curriculum

Every year group to visit a place of worship during the year.

Year 1: St Mark's or St Mary's

Year 2: Wimbledon Mosque, Durnsford Road

Year 3: Sikh Gurdwara, Merton Road.

Year 4: Buddhist Temple , Calonne Road.

Year 5: Hindu temple, Effra Road.

Year 6: Jewish Synagogue, Queensmere Road.

KS2 Eucharist service at St Mark's and St Mary's: three times per year a year led by yr6, yr5 and yr4.

Ash Wednesday service