At a time when religious beliefs guide the lives of billions of people worldwide, understanding people’s views can be a first step to recognising and appreciating diversity.

Our school is multi-cultural, multi-faith and diverse in many ways. The Religious Education curriculum at Four Oaks Primary encourages a positive attitude to different religions and beliefs. It links with the British Values taught in school and helps to prepare our children to become well-rounded, respectful members of society with an awareness and acceptance of the views of others.

The RE curriculum is based on the Birmingham Agreed Syllabus of 24 moral and cultural dispositions aimed at cultivating and inspiring knowledge and understanding of different faiths. It offers pupils opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development, and it promotes the understanding of the significance of religion in the lives of others.

During their time at Four Oaks Primary, children learn about the six main world faiths: Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism. The Agreed Syllabus requires that all year groups learn about Christianity, then as children progress through school they will encounter the other religions as part of their curriculum.

Whilst Buddhism isn’t featured as a main in-depth topic in the Birmingham Agreed Syllabus, children will learn about the traditions and celebrations of the faith through assemblies and class-based discussion.

At Four Oaks Primary, we place great importance on both educational visits and visitors into school to enhance the Religious Education curriculum. Visits to places of worship provide rich opportunities for children to learn about religious traditions, rituals, symbols and artefacts. These visits act to both consolidate learning in the classroom and ignite the curiosity of our learners to question and develop their understanding.

To further embed their learning, children will have the opportunity to engage in class discussion and drama, and have access to religious artefacts. Children will participate regularly in assemblies with different faith foci and to celebrate a range of special festivals as part of the school community.