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Religious Studies - Curriculum Statement

We teach R.S. at Town Close House School to help our children clarify and enlarge their ideas about religion.   We also wish to develop in our children the qualities of respect, understanding and tolerance when dealing with or referring to members of different faith communities other than their own.

Our aims in teaching R.S. are to help our children to:

• acquire knowledge and develop understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain;
• develop a positive attitude towards other people, respecting their right to hold different beliefs from their own, and towards living in a society of diverse religions;
• develop awareness of the fundamental questions of life raised by human experiences and of how religious teachings can relate to them; and
• reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences in the light of their study.

R.S. is taught by the class teachers from Years 1 to 4 in the children’s classroom many of which benefit from the provision of Interactive Whiteboards.  From Years 5 to 8 the children are mainly taught in a large, spacious well-equipped RS room by a subject specialist or the Head of Department. 

The R.S. curriculum is designed around both the QCA syllabus of work and ISEB syllabus. Years 7 and 8 follow the Common Entrance Syllabus and complete a project on either the role of St. Peter Mancroft or the Salvation Army within the local community.  A variety of teaching methods are encouraged in R.S.   These include discussion, written work, art, videos, visits, games, drama, use of artefacts, stories, music and research.  Homework is set in line with agreed school policy from Year Six.   Homework is a chance for the children to engage in research or complete work started or introduced in the classroom.  I.C.T. tasks form part of R.S. homework.

The R.S. department makes regular use of the School’s I.C.T. resources.  Relevant pieces of software have been bought to support and develop work in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism.  Exemplary pieces of work and links to websites have been added to the extensive R.S. intranet page that the children can access within school.

Trips and visiting speakers form an important part of the RS curriculum as they help the children experience a faith community at first hand.  Reviews and photographs can be found on the RS Trips and Events’ page and the Visiting Speakers’ page.

Mr. S. B. Coulthart
Head of Religious Studies