Intent

At Edale Rise Primary and Nursery School, our Religion and Worldviews curriculum is designed to develop thoughtful, open-minded and reflective learners who understand and respect a range of beliefs and perspectives. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils build deep conceptual knowledge of religions and worldviews locally, nationally and globally.

Our curriculum encourages pupils to explore significant ‘big questions’, develop their own views and understand the beliefs and experiences of others. Pupils learn about Christianity alongside other principal religions and non-religious worldviews, reflecting the diversity of modern Britain. The curriculum promotes curiosity, respect and critical thinking, enabling pupils to make connections between beliefs, practices and their impact on individuals and communities, and prepares them for life in a diverse society.

Implementation

Religion and Worldviews is taught through a progressive and knowledge-rich curriculum built around three key strands:

• Substantive knowledge (understanding beliefs, practices and concepts)
• Disciplinary knowledge (how religion and worldviews are studied)
• Personal knowledge (pupils’ own reflections and responses)

Learning is carefully sequenced through a spiral curriculum, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen their understanding over time. Units are framed around ‘big questions’ such as Why are we here?, How can we live together in harmony? and How do worldviews affect our lives? These drive enquiry, discussion and reflection across the curriculum.

Lessons are varied, engaging and discussion-rich, enabling pupils to explore concepts through debate, enquiry and reflection. Pupils study a range of religions and worldviews, making comparisons and considering the diversity of lived experiences within and between communities. Cross-curricular links support pupils in making connections across their learning.

Teaching is inclusive and adaptive, ensuring all pupils can access and succeed. This includes the use of scaffolding, structured discussion, targeted questioning, vocabulary support through knowledge organisers and opportunities for deeper thinking. Teachers are supported with strong subject knowledge resources and guidance to facilitate respectful discussion of sensitive or complex issues.

Impact

Pupils develop a secure understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews and the ability to think critically about important questions. They can make connections, express their own views thoughtfully and engage respectfully with the views of others. Pupils demonstrate increasing confidence in using subject-specific vocabulary and in discussing philosophical and ethical ideas.

Assessment is both formative and summative, enabling teachers to monitor progress, support all learners and ensure strong outcomes. Pupils are encouraged to evaluate their work and reflect on improvements, developing independence and critical thinking.

By the end of primary school, pupils will:

• Demonstrate secure knowledge of key religious concepts, beliefs and practices
• Understand the diversity of religious and non-religious worldviews
• Ask questions and engage in enquiry-based learning
• Reflect on and express their own views with increasing confidence
• Compare and evaluate different beliefs respectfully
• Use subject-specific vocabulary accurately
• Be well prepared for further study in Religious Education at Key Stage 3