Subject lead -  Cathy Ward

Link governor - Rev Robin Lodge

Our curriculum Intent

As a school, we have set our curriculum intent with our children at the centre. Our school curriculum intent is underpinned by the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust curriculum intent.

•     It is tailored to meet the needs of St. Andrew’s Church School, its context within a county-town setting and its pupils, a significant percentage of whom are drawn from an area of high social deprivation.

•     It is rooted in the needs of our community, drawing on local culture and heritage.

•     Provides experience of, and connections to, the world beyond the school in both time and place through a comprehensive programme of external visits and visitors and additional opportunities.

•     Provides a broad range of creative learning experiences to develop children’s moral, spiritual, social, mental, physical and cultural understanding through our PRAISE values and the development of a contextually relevant curriculum.

•     Provides opportunities for pupils to understand and develop our Christian values. These are exemplified through our PRAISE values throughout the school.

•     Is ambitious for all pupils and provides additional opportunities to inspire ambition within our pupils, a large percentage of whom do not currently aspire to higher education.

•     Recognises, celebrates and welcomes each pupil as a unique individual.

•     Secures pupils' core skills, knowledge and understanding to at least an age appropriate level and beyond, and is adapted, designed and developed for pupils with additional learning needs or disabilities.

•     Provides both coverage of the National Curriculum and appropriate progression from EYFS to Y6 and beyond.

•     Provides enrichment opportunities to broaden and enhance the curriculum experience for pupils through carefully considered Learning Quests and contextually specific learning opportunities to develop ‘The St. Andrew’s Child’, including experiences and visits.

•     Is flexible and responds to pupils’ feedback, the evaluations of how well pupils learn and make progress, and in pupils’ performance in external and internal assessments.

Religious Education has never been more relevant, engaging or challenging as religion & religious issues are in the news every day. For pupils to be able to understand our constantly changing world they need to be able to interpret religious issues & evaluate their significance.

From the pupil’s first day at school, RE gives students valuable insights into the diverse beliefs & opinions held by people today. It helps with their own personal development & supports an understanding of the spiritual, moral, social & cultural questions that surface again and again in their lives. In tackling difficult questions, it provides pupils with insight that can work to challenge stereotypes, promote cohesion, and tackle extremism.

RE does important work encouraging young people to value themselves & the communities within which they live.

Religious Education:

· Is relevant for all children, whatever their religion or beliefs

· Teaches understanding of world religions and beliefs

· Shows how religion influences individuals, families, communities and cultures

· Explores the political and social impact of religion

· Encourages reflection on issues of justice and truth

· Provokes questions about the meaning of life

· Offers opportunities for personal reflection

· Develops and affirms personal identity and responsible citizenship

· Prepares children for adult life

RE can help:

· Promote respect for self and others

· Contribute to an understanding of history and culture

· Enhance our understanding of global affairs

· Develop personal well-being and happiness

· Safeguard ethical standards in public life

· Generate social and community cohesion

· Tackle extremism and religious discrimination

RE in British Schools is:

· Admired across the world

· About modern belief

· A chance to learn about religion without feeling pressurised

· Intellectually rigorous

· Up to date, relevant and enjoyable