Summer Term:
Year 3:
The worldview studied in this term is Sikhism. For the first half-term, children will enquire 'Do Sikhs think it is important to share?' which revisits the teachings of the gurus - Guru Angad Dev Ji' and Guru Nanak - and the 3 Golden Rules of Sikhi:
- Naam Japo (repeating God's name)
- Kirat Karni (being honest)
- Vand Ke Chakna (Sharing with others)
In this unit, children will learn the important concept of the Langar, which is a key part of every Gurdwara. They will research the most recognised Gurdwara (Harmandir Sahib) and the important role it played in the 2020 pandemic. The main teaching point is Karah Prashad - a special pudding - which is served to the congregation at the close of any worship service and is blessed by an offering of a prayer before being read from the Guru Granth Sahib.
For the second half-term, children will enquire 'What is the best way for a Sikh to live a good life?' which revisits key learning about Sikhi:
- World’s 5th largest religion
- Sikh means learner
- Place of worship is the Gurdwara
- Sikhs believe in one God, who is within people, animals and plants
- Sikhs do not cut their hair
- Sikhs make a promise and join the Khalsa
- Once they join, they wear the 5 Ks: Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (bangle), Kanga (wooden comb), Kirpan (small ceremonial dagger) and Kashera (white cotton shorts).
In this unit, children will learn that undertaking actions such as wearing the 5K's, repeating God's name, reading the scriptures, singing praises, taking part in Langar, Sewa and wearing a turban can show that Sikhs wish to follow their teachings and live a good life. Children will also learn ways to show respect to the Guru Granth Sahib through following its teachings:
- Be kind
- Speak nicely to others, be honest
- Care for others
- Stand up to bullying behaviour
- Help those who need it
- Love everyone
Year 4:
For the first half-term, the worldview studied is Buddhism and children enquire 'What is the best way for a Buddhist to lead a good life?'. This unit considers how Buddhists believe we live many times through reincarnation and how the aim of life is to break through the cycle of rebirth called Nirvana. Buddhists believe Buddha achieved enlightenment by understanding and realising the truth about life and how Buddhists follow the path laid out by Buddha to gain enlightenment. The main teaching point for this unit is the Noble Eightfold Path:
| Step on the Path: | Description: |
| Right Viewpoint | Looking at life in the right way – being positive |
| Right Intention | Doing things for the right reason |
| Right Speech | Saying things that are truthful and yet not hurtful |
| Right Action | Caring for others – being kind and doing the right thing |
| Right Livelihood | Do a job that helps people and causes no harm |
| Right Effort | Trying your hardest to do the right thing |
| Right Mindfulness | Think carefully about your feelings and the feelings of those around you |
| Right Concentration | Having a peaceful state of mind – practice meditation |
Children will also focus on mindfulness and how being aware of your thoughts as they arise and being able to control the mind leads to living a life that limits suffering to those around you. They will also consider the right effort - if your effort is steered towards making the world a better place, you are following in Buddha's footsteps.
For the second half-term, the worldview studied is Christianity and children enquire 'Do people need to go to church to show they are Christian?'. In this unit, children will look at some of the rites (or Sacraments) that are performed in churches (the Christian place of worship), such as Baptism, Holy Communion or Eucharist. They will investigate how and why Christians might choose to worship in a church. Children will consider the feelings a special place invokes as well as what actually happens there, alongside the aspect of service and commitment undertaken in a church.
Year 5:
For the first half-term, the worldview studied is Judaism and children will enquire 'How are sacred teachings and stories interpreted by Jews today?' This enquiry builds on prior learning about Shabbat and examines how different Jewish communities would interpret sacred teachings and stories and put their lessons into practice in their lives. Different Jewish communities include:
1. Haredi
2. Orthodox - Reform and Orthodox views are the focus of this enquiry.
3. Masorti
4. Reform
5. Liberal
One of the main teaching points for this unit is Shabbat (Shabbath), where the main requirement is that no work should be attempted from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. The day of rest allows Jews to take the time to focus on God and what God has done for them. Another key teaching point is the Talmud - another very important Jewish book that helps people understand how to practice their religion. It is a guidebook which helps Jewish people learn about their faith and make good choices in their lives.
For the second half-term, the worldview studied is Christianity and children will enquire 'What is the best way for a Christian to show commitment to God?' Children will look at ways in which Christians are committed to their faith by evaluating some key areas already studied and looking more in depth at the 10 Commandments from the Old Testament (before Jesus was on Earth) and the two commandments of loving God and loving your neighbour. The other aspects examined within this enquiry include:
- The gifts of the Spirit from Galatians
- Church attendance
- Prayer - both of the Church and personal
- Communion or Eucharist
Year 6:
The worldview studied in this term is Islam and children will enquire 'What is the best way for a Muslim to live a good life?' Children will learn that Muslims believe life was given to them by Allah, and they have a responsibility to live as good a life as possible and when they die their actions in life will help decide what happens next. Many Muslims will choose to follow duties such as:
- Praying five times a day
- Giving to the poor
- Fasting during the month of Ramadan
- Going on pilgrimage
- Read and follow the words of the Qur'an
- Follow the Prophet Muhammad's example
- Go to the Mosque regularly
- Look after their families
- Be honest and try to help others.
This enquiry focusses on two of the pillars - giving and fasting. Zakah/ Zakaht - giving 2.5% of savings to those in need and Sawm/Saum - the period of fasting during the month of Ramadan.
For the second half-term, the children enquire 'Does belief in Akhirah (life after death) help Muslims lead a good life?' Children will learn that Muslims believe when you die there is a judgement day and Allah will decide on your next step after looking at the evidence collected during your life by 2 angels who record your thoughts, words and deeds. The enquiry looks at the ways in which Muslims could improve their chances of a good afterlife. The enquiry also considers Jihad - life can be a struggle and requires a lot of effort to succeed. There are two kinds of Jihad:
1. Greater - Inner: against our own laziness, impatience, and arrogance.
2. Lesser - Outer: to establish justice on the Earth and 'to root out evil'.
