Religion and Worldviews

Falmouth Primary Academy follows the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus for the teaching of Religion and Worldviews.

What is Religion and Worldviews, and why do we learn about it?

Religion and Worldviews explores big questions about life; it finds out what different people believe and the difference this makes to how they live.

Religion and Worldviews helps us to make sense of religion and belief, reflecting on our own ideas and ways of living.

Our approach at Falmouth Primary Academy

Our approach to the teaching of Religion and Worldviews in Falmouth Primary Academy is built around the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus’ three main aims:

1. Making sense of a range of religious beliefs
2. Understanding the impact and significance of religious and non-religious beliefs
3. Making connections between religious and non-religious beliefs, concepts, practises and ideas

In our Reception classes, children will encounter Christianity and other faiths present in their local community. In Key Stage 1 children will start exploring Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, in more depth. They will expand their knowledge of these, alongside Hinduism, in Key Stage 2.

The Cornwall Agreed Syllabus uses a Spiral Curriculum approach – whereby pupils have the opportunity to revisit the same themes and religions. As they progress throughout the school, they will explore concepts at a deeper level and with increasing complexity. This enables pupils to consolidate and build upon their existing knowledge, whilst deepening their understanding and developing new skills.

We teach using a variety of exciting and engaging methods, which includes the use of drama and role play, stories, art and music. We provide opportunities for our pupils to go on educational visits and invite a range of visitors to the school to enhance their learning experiences.

Links to other subjects

Religion and Worldviews plays a key role in supporting our pupil’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, as well as providing important opportunities to explore British values.

Pupils’ literacy and oracy skills are promoted throughout all of our Religion and Worldviews lessons – with an opportunity to engage in a range of written tasks, alongside verbal discussions and debates.

At Falmouth Primary Academy we interweave many of our topic subjects throughout our delivery of Religion and Worldviews, including Computing, Art and Music, in order to ensure that experiences are engaging and meaningful for our pupils.

Collective Worship

At Falmouth Primary Academy there is a daily act of worship, which is either whole school or class/key stage based. This aims to make links with the themes explored within the Religion and Worldviews curriculum. We additionally provide opportunities for pupils to explore different festivals and celebrations throughout the year, and relate these to the religions that they are studying.

Right to withdraw

Whilst our approach to Religion and Worldviews encompasses a range of religious and non-religious viewpoints, parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religion and Worldviews lessons, or any part of the Religion and Worldviews curriculum. This must be requested in writing to the Headteacher.