Religious Education at Holywell

At Holywell, we are committed to teaching our children about the major world faiths in Religious Education, with an accurate and fair representation of their beliefs, values and practices.

About us

We are a thriving school which celebrates the diversity of everyone within the school family and provides a nurturing environment for effective learning to take place. Good and sustained links within the community help to create exciting opportunities for children to learn. The school has a positive ethos in which the needs of children are paramount and met by a harmonious team of staff and governors.

There are opportunities each day to reflect on world events, on school and community events and on ourselves and we recognise that this reflection is closely linked to how we feel about ourselves and our capabilities. Using this reflective practice, we are able to link our Restorative Approach Behaviour Policy to our reflective practice, approaching restoration and reparation in a reflective way.

Wherever possible, we link seasonal religious festivals, poetry, music and readings into our assembly and collective times, enabling our children to experience events and occasions that they may not experience otherwise.

Our Curriculum

We teach RE using the Kent Agreed Syllabus, considering a wide range of major world religions and enable our children to:

• Reflect quietly and make an internal response in line with personal beliefs and background.
• Develop a knowledge and understanding of Christianity and its impact on our local community, and on our society today.
• Develop a knowledge and understanding of the other principle religious and non-religious belief traditions represented in Britain today.
• Learn to discriminate between those traditions, beliefs and practices that deserve respect, and practices and beliefs that can lead them into danger.
• Grow in their spiritual development.
• Develop a sense of awe, wonder and mystery.
• Develop skills and attitudes that will support their personal, moral, social and cultural development.
• Explore some questions of meaning and consider the different ways humankind has responded to them.
• Think about their own beliefs and values in the light of the beliefs of others—both religious and non-religious—and the values of the school community.

• Foster an awareness of universal moral principles of right and wrong, justice and fairness and a proper concern for the fate of others and the world.

• Affirm and celebrate the values and ethos of the school.

Our Assemblies

Assemblies are an important part of the school day. The tradition of listening to music, which encourages a sense of reflection as well as celebration and togetherness, assists in encouraging thoughtfulness about the ethos of the school. Themes are planned in advance and assemblies are presented by members of staff and invited guests from a variety of traditions. Care is taken to ensure that the chosen theme is sensitive and appropriate to the needs of the school.