Philosophers
Our Intent
Religious and moral education (philosophers) gives children the opportunity to learn about the world’s major religions and consider their own beliefs and values. Children learn tolerance of other peoples’ beliefs and to understand the rich culture and heritage of the people of Bristol and the UK.
Our approach
Religious Education is taught to all children in KS1 and KS2 with a discrete lesson every week. We use the syllabus that has been specifically designed by SACRE which is both rich and diverse and is a fundamental part of an effective and enjoyable education. We use an online portal to help support our planning and teaching. The online portal is called Kapow. Our school is constantly examining the basis for religious beliefs whilst at the same time, developing more creative ways for our children to learn.
Our approach to RE will helps pupils become successful learners by enabling them to:
- develop important skills, knowledge and understanding in RE;
- mature in their spiritual moral, social and cultural development naming, recognising and recalling aspects of religion.
- build complex and demanding skills such as synthesis and critical evaluation;
- develop understanding of both learning about and from religion and belief;
- engage with powerful and important questions of meaning and complex, demanding ethical issues;
- understand both conflict and collaboration within and between religions and the importance of inter-faith dialogue;
- reflect upon and evaluate the role of religion and belief in the world
What else is happening at school?
As a school, we have a strong connection with Encounters Christianity. They are a group of qualified teachers who provide dynamic, interactive RE sessions based on Bristol’s Agreed Syllabus.
They work with primary and secondary schools, providing high quality religious education in accordance with the ethos of the syllabus.
They have 3 aims:
- to enrich local school pupils’ learning in RE and spirituality;
- to provide pupils with first-hand experiences of 21st century Christianity; and
- to build positive community relationships.
If you’d like to find out more, please visit their website https://encounterchristianity.co.uk/
WIRE AWARD:
In 2025, we were awarded the WIRE award. The WIRE award recognises excellence in RE in schools throughout Bristol and South Gloucester. This was a year long project which included taking a year group of children to visit a place of worship that was not Christian (or a majority faith represented in our school).
OVERVIEW
Download: Long term plan Philosophers
PROGRESSION
Download: Philosophers Progression
RE is provided for all pupils, and is inclusive, broad minded and encourages tolerance of others. Parents do have the right to withdraw pupils from RE: if you wish to do this, make an appointment with the head teacher / RE subject leader. The school does not support selective withdrawal from RE.
Children who opt out of RE are provided with work to complete completely secular, curriculum-safe activities that link to the skills or ideas behind the main teaching idea.
How you can help your child at home
Much of what we do in RE at Sea Mills Primary involves discussion and exploration of moral questions and how different cultures approach the same issues. We would strongly encourage families to talk about our communities and how we share many values.
Links
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/re/
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Interactive.aspx?cat=117
www.natre.org.uk/about-natre/free-resources-for-you-and-your-pupils/
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