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Forty Hill C.E. School

Forty Hill C.E. School

RE and Collective Worship

At Forty Hill, Religious Education (RE) is given a high priority within the curriculum.  We teach RE using the London Diocesan Board for School’s (LDBS) plans and follow the model curriculum map.  Plans are structured around big questions and children work through sequential enquiry questions to be able to answer each unit’s Big Question.  Children consider the Bible’s core concepts, develop religious literacy and experience a broad and balanced curriculum as they learn what people believe (theology), think (philosophy), and how they live and respond (human/social science) because of this. Assessment plays a crucial part in effective teaching and learning to ensure that all children access and participate in lessons to make expected progress.
 
The RE curriculum promotes respect for diverse worldviews and plays a crucial role in nurturing the holistic development of pupils. It enables all pupils to develop and encourages them to be thoughtful, compassionate, and active members of society in line with our vision: living and learning in Faith, Hope and Service.

 

At the heart of RE is the exploration of faith in all its forms and our curriculum enables pupils to engage with a range of religious traditions, including Christianity, as well as other world faiths. This broad understanding helps students appreciate the role faith plays in shaping cultures, identities, and communities. By learning about different religions and worldviews, students develop respect for diversity and an understanding of the importance of tolerance and acceptance. RE lessons offers a safe space to ask questions, express curiosity, and reflect on personal beliefs while building respect for others’ faiths.   Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own faith and values, helping them to develop a strong moral compass. This reflective process fosters inner growth, encouraging pupils to think about their place in the world and their responsibilities toward others. 

Developing an understanding of Christian hope alongside other faith traditions that focus on hope, redemption, and renewal, pupils learn to approach life’s difficulties with resilience and optimism. By exploring stories of perseverance and hope within religious texts, pupils may also be inspired to face their own challenges with courage.  RE empowers students to reflect on their role, and purpose, in society and understand that their actions can contribute to a more hopeful, just, and compassionate world. Our Global Neighbours project compliments our RE curriculum and affords pupils the chance to understand how important it is to give back and making a positive difference in the lives of others. Each Year Groups uses stories and teachings that highlight compassion, justice, and selflessness and encourage students to think about the needs of others. The curriculum is designed to help students develop empathy by considering how their actions affect those around them, promoting a sense of responsibility for the wider world.  By learning about and practicing service, students strengthen their sense of community within the school and beyond. They learn that they are part of a global family, where each person has a role to play in making the world a more just and caring place.

Collective Worship is a pivotal part of each school day where pupils and staff can meet, to think, reflect and pray by invitation. Biblical teaching, alongside our school’s Christian vision and values, are incorporated into collective worship throughout the week. After a two-year interregnum at our neighbouring Church, Jesus Church, we are pleased to be working closely with Rev’d Chris Bolster.  Each week Chris leads an Act of Worship and enhances learning by class visits when appropriate, supporting with staff Continuing Professional Development (CPD) alongside offering pastoral support for our Forty Hill community.  

 

We provide opportunities for the whole school community to join in worship at the Church, in school and everyone is invited for half termly community prayer meetings/quiet times.  Music plays an important part in the worshipping life of our community and contributes well to pupils’ biblical knowledge and understanding. Biblical teaching and our school’s Christian vision and values are incorporated into our daily collective worship.

At Forty Hill both teachers, pupils and parents are encouraged to grow academically and spiritually.  The RE curriculum, and daily collective worship, equips students not only with knowledge about different faiths but the tools to navigate life’s challenges with hope.  As such, RE serves as a cornerstone for developing well-rounded, compassionate, and engaged pupils, who carry the principles of faith, hope, and service into their daily lives during, and after, their time at Forty Hill.

 

The London Diocesan Board for Schools (LDBS) works closely with us to provide a stimulating and relevant RE curriculum. Through this curriculum, pupils are taught to understand the key Biblical concepts and to investigate and reflect on the fundamental questions in life. Our Curriculum Map can be found below.