Aims and purpose

At Catcott School,  we aim to provide a curriculum that  prepares pupils to navigate the diversity of religious and non-religious world-views they may encounter at school and throughout their lives. Pupils will build their understanding of religious and non-religious world views in human life, their teaching and traditions, as well as the day-to-day experience of followers. Our aim is that through studying these, pupils understand the place of religion and non-religion in Britain today. This is underpinned by the Oak's Curricula Scheme of Learning. 

Sequenced and coherent

A careful and purposeful sequencing of our curriculum content underpins its design, ensuring that pupils are able to build on and make links with existing knowledge. For example, pupils are first introduced to the concept of dharma in key stage 1 when they learn about different meanings of Hindu stories linked to compassion and truth. In key stage 2, this concept is developed through stories in the Ramayana where figures such as Rama and Sita embody dharma. Later, in key stage 2, the curriculum is broadened to look at dharmic traditions such as Sikhs and Buddhism. 

Diverse

Our commitment to breadth and diversity in content, language, texts and media can be seen throughout the curriculum. From the very first units, in key stage 1, pupils will learn that people can be both religious and non-religious. They will meet case studies of humanists naming a child alongside different types of Christians. Case studies enable pupils to understand that religion is inherently diverse, that everyone has a world-view and that it is a global phenomenon. For example, we look at harvest festivals in Nigeria to enable pupils to understand that the majority of Christians are found in the global south.

 

What are threads?

We use threads to signpost groups of units that link to one another, that together build a common body of knowledge over time. We use the term thread because it helps us bring to mind the visual concept of a thread weaving through the curriculum.Threads  

• Authority and influence
• Continuity, change and diversity
• Expressing belief
• Meaning and purpose
• Nature of religion and belief
• Values and morality