The R.E. Curriculum

The Religious Education (R.E.) curriculum at Burton Green combines the Coventry & Warwickshire Religion and Worldviews Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2024 to 2029 with the Understanding Christianity framework. This approach provides pupils with a deep understanding of Christianity while exploring a broader range of religious and non-religious worldviews. It shifts the focus from simply learning facts to developing inquiry skills and understanding how belief systems affect people's lives. 

Coventry & Warwickshire Religion and Worldviews Agreed Syllabus

This part of the curriculum encourages systematic inquiry into significant human questions, helping pupils develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise different responses to these questions. 

Key elements include:

• A "worldview" approach: It treats religion and worldviews as lived experiences, examining how real people embody their beliefs in their everyday actions, rituals, and choices.
• Seven core concepts: The curriculum is built around seven central concepts that are revisited in a spiral curriculum throughout a pupil's time at school. These concepts are relevant to all worldviews, religious or otherwise.
• Multidisciplinary learning: Pupils learn about religion and worldviews through three main disciplines: theology, philosophy, and human and social sciences. This ensures a comprehensive approach to understanding belief.
• Case studies: The curriculum uses case studies from a range of religions and worldviews to illustrate how beliefs manifest in different contexts. 

Understanding Christianity

This framework provides the structure for an in-depth exploration of the Christian faith. It is designed to help pupils build a deep knowledge and understanding of Christianity's core theological concepts. 

The framework is based on a three-element teaching cycle:

• Making sense of the text: Pupils learn to read and interpret core biblical texts, gaining an understanding of how Christians use and interpret these scriptures.
• Understanding the impact: This element examines how biblical texts and Christian teachings influence the lives of Christians, both within their communities and in the wider world.
• Making connections: Pupils are encouraged to reflect on, evaluate, and connect the Christian concepts and texts they have studied with their own lives and their broader understanding of the world. 

The R.E. Curriculum at Burton Green

By integrating these two frameworks, the curriculum provides a rich and balanced approach to R.E. :

• In-depth study: While the Worldviews Agreed Syllabus provides a broad exploration of diverse beliefs, Understanding Christianity ensures a robust, systematic, and in-depth study of Christianity, as is appropriate for schools in the UK.
• Diverse perspectives: The worldview approach allows pupils to explore their own beliefs and engage respectfully with the diverse views of others, including both religious and non-religious perspectives.
• Balanced curriculum: The combination offers a balanced curriculum that covers a wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs while retaining a dedicated and rigorous focus on Christianity.
• Critical engagement: Both frameworks encourage critical thinking. The Worldviews Agreed Syllabus promotes an inquiry-based approach, while Understanding Christianity develops theological literacy, ensuring pupils can engage seriously with complex ideas. 

How the R.E. Curriculum links to our School Vision and Values

Live Life in all its Fullness

At Burton Green, our R.E. curriculum is more than a subject; it's a vehicle for bringing our school vision and values to life. By weaving together the Coventry & Warwickshire Religion and Worldviews Agreed Syllabus and the Understanding Christianity framework, we give our pupils the tools to "Live Life in all its Fullness."

The curriculum encourages an active, reflective approach to learning:

• Valuing Yourself: By exploring the "big questions" of meaning and purpose through different worldviews, our pupils embark on a journey of self-discovery. They are empowered to think critically about their own beliefs, develop their personal values, and grow in confidence as individuals who understand their own purpose.

• Valuing Each Other: As pupils respectfully explore different religious and non-religious worldviews in a safe and supportive environment, they learn to appreciate and value the different perspectives and experiences of their peers. This process nurtures empathy and fosters a deep respect for diversity, helping us to build a more compassionate and understanding school community.

• Valuing the World You Live in: Through a multidisciplinary approach, our pupils explore the wisdom found in different cultures and traditions. This helps them understand how beliefs and values have shaped our world, both locally and globally. It inspires them to consider their place within this complex world and to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.

This integrated approach to RE ensures that our pupils not only learn about different beliefs but also develop the skills and understanding necessary to embody our values every day, shaping a better world for everyone.