“In Northumberland the important and necessary role that RE plays in school and community life has long been recognised. In an increasingly diverse society RE helps to ensure that children and young people understand each other better; it also helps break down fear and prejudice. Moreover, it provides positive learning opportunities to enable pupils to become more self-aware and to broaden their horizons. In addition, RE has an important contribution to make to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of children and young people”.
Northumberland LEA Agreed Syllabus, 2004
At Ovingham Middle School, each class has a dedicated one hour R.E lesson each week. The content of the R.E. programme draws on the Agreed Syllabus and the following religions are studied:
- Christianity
- Judaism
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Sikhism
The units encompass God and Other Beliefs, Founders / Leaders and Worship and Communities.
There are no presumptions made as to the religious beliefs and backgrounds of pupils. We teach R.E. stressing open enquiry, helping pupils to understand and respect other people regardless of their religious, ethnic or social background. R.E contributes to pupils’ personal and social development. The principal aim of R.E. is to help children mature in relation to their own patterns of belief and behaviour through exploring religious beliefs and practices and related human experiences.
Learning activities include exploring artefacts and photographs, watching related DVD / video-clips and engaging with teacher prepared materials such as worksheets, stories, poetry and drama. Pupils gain knowledge of different religious beliefs and practices and the role these play in the day to day lives of individuals, families and communities.
The school provides teaching of religious education for all learners in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus and parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children.
A link to the Year 8 Mosque visit can be found here.
