Spring Term:
RE lessons are taught weekly, and each year group focusses on our main world view of Christianity alongside a different world view.
Spring Term 1:
Years 3 and 4:
This half-term Lower Key Stage 2 is exploring the worldview of Buddhism and throughout the unit will explore their enquiry question of Can the Buddha’s teachings make the world a better place? This enquiry builds on the Buddha’s key teachings:
- Three Universal Truths/ marks of existence.
- Four Noble Truths.
- Noble Eightfold Path.
Children will learn that there are 3 things Buddhists need to accept:
- Dukkha (suffering);
- Anicca (belief that nobody lasts);
- Anatta/ Anatman (belief there is no ‘self’).
Children will learn that Buddhists believe that everything changes all the time and will come closer to enlightenment when they accept that they are changing beings.
Children will also be exposed to the story of the Buddha and the angry elephant to examine how compassion and empathy can limit suffering, alongside the story of Kisa and Mustard seed, which explains how everyone suffers, and that sometimes we think we are alone in suffering, but in fact, we all go through it – some of it is part of life and the human tendency to form attachments to people and things.
Years 5 and 6:
This half-term Upper Key Stage is exploring the worldview of Christianity and throughout this unit will explore their enquiry question of is anything ever eternal? This enquiry focusses on the Christian understanding of eternity and the Christian belief that God’s love for humankind is eternal in that God will never stop loving humanity. Children will learn this Godly love is called agape, which is universal and unconditional love alongside an unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
This enquiry links closely with the concept of salvation and children will learn that God sent Jesus to humanity to die and be resurrected to have a pathway back to God where he can live with God for eternity.
Spring Term 2:
Years 3 and 4:
The lower Key Stage will study the worldview of Christianity to enquire, is forgiveness always possible for Christians? In this enquiry, children will investigate how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection impact on a Christian's understanding of forgiveness. Children will investigate a broad range of references to forgiveness within the Gospels. Stories and events covered are:
- Loving your enemies;
- Forgiving 70 x 7 times;
- Not being angry;
- Not taking revenge;
- The Lord’s prayer;
- The unforgiving servant;
- Jesus forgiving the crowds and the soldiers at the cross;
- Jesus forgiving the thief who was crucified with him;
- A recap of Jesus forgiving Peter for denying him.
Years 5 and 6:
Upper Key Stage will continue their study of Christianity to explore their enquiry question of is Christianity still a strong religion 2000 years after Jesus was on Earth? This enquiry draws on all previous learning about the concepts studied in early enquiries, reflecting on their meaning and impact in the world today. Children will be exposed to three main symbols and celebrations to answer their enquiry:
- Mothering Sunday.
- Harvest.
- Fish symbol.
