At Hethersett VC Primary School we recognise the value that a high-quality Religion & Worldviews curriculum can offer to our pupils. Our award winning curriculum is celebrated nationally as an example of best practice and informs cutting edge research into the teaching of RE. 

All pupils are entitled to access a high-quality Religion & Worldviews curriculum. Teachers use sources of authority (Bible, Quoran…) as a basis for teaching Religion & Worldviews across all Key stages, in order that our pupils acquire a level of religious literacy in line with their development and abilities in English. We strive to provide teaching and learning opportunities that lead children to bear witness to their faiths and also have an understanding of those who do not follow a faith. Religion & Worldviews lessons are delivered in an enthusiastic and creative way, in order to make the learning interesting, insightful and fun for our pupils. Through excellent quality sessions, our children are nurtured in the art of reflection and contemplation of the mystery of life that God has created. Our pupils learn to be united in faith whilst equally being respectful and celebrating differences.  

In each Golden Thread (unit), we support and enable the faith experience of all children, using their worldview and real life experiences as a starting point and leading them to reflect upon and consider the messages in all their richness. Two threads are explored every term, each time at greater depths.   

 We follow our award-winning bespoke curriculum based upon the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus, supported by the resources of Understanding Christianity. This encourages children to think about and question their worldview. Our curriculum provides a learning experience to look forward to along with a safe enquiry space. It enhances critical thinking and evaluation skills and supports spiritual development. The scheme equips children for a world of diversity in which they can thrive as well rounded, tolerant adults who can have informed conversations about religions and worldviews.   

Religion & Worldviews is an important part of the curriculum that brings together learning from a host of subjects and allows children time to apply these skills in a philosophical environment. Religion & Worldviews has a significant role in the promotion of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development[1] within the school and wider community. Learning provokes questions on the meaning and purpose of life; beliefs about God, the nature of reality, and what it means to be human.  

Religion & Worldviews units and lessons aim to develop children’s awareness and understanding of: religious beliefs, teachings, practices; forms of expression and the influence of religion on individuals; families, communities and cultures.  Questioning encourage pupils to learn from the diversity of religions, religious beliefs and worldviews while affirming their own faith or search for meaning in existence.   

Skills learnt in Religion & Worldviews are important for safeguarding children. Lessons teach children to be critical thinkers, not accepting what they read or see at face value. Instead, we should expect children to ask questions and explore the history and meaning of an idea. Critical thinking – along with Creativity, Collaboration and Communication – are vital skills for 21st Century learners[2].  

[1] The Norfolk Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2012 2012, pp4  

[2] Dede Chris, Comparing Frameworks for 21st Century Skills, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2009. 

Sharing our curriculum best practice

We have shared the experience of developing our curriculum at Norfolk SACRE conferences as well as national symposium and livestreams.

Our curriculum has been explored and shared nationally numerous times. We have written for RE:ONLINE discussing our curriculum journey and use of sacred texts. We have also appeared online with ReformingRE as well as in print with RE Today, TES and teachPrimary. 

Cutting edge research

Our school is very proud to be part of the RE Council of England and Wales' "Religion and Worldviews in the Classroom: developing a Worldviews Approach" project. We are part of a  team exploring and developing guidance on the teaching of Worldviews, working in collaboration with other local schools. This guidance will inform the design of RE curriculums across the country.

You can read more about this project on the NATRE website and the REC website. 

This project is based upon the project handbook which can be read and downloaded here. 

Our award winning curriculum

In 2021, we were delighted to be awarded the prestigious Gold RE Quality Mark. This recognises that our curriculum is held to the highest of national standards and children are receiving the best possible learning in Religious Education. Our school's RE curriculum is shared as an example of local and national best practice, with our teachers working with national organisations to inform the learning of students across the country.