Curriculum
At Lantern Academy we use the Discovery RE curriculum, which uses an enquiry-based approach to learning. We start each unit of work with a ‘big question’ which the children answer as they progress through the topic. Research and our own knowledge demonstrate that children learn best when they have opportunities to explore, ask questions and enquire about their learning and this scheme incorporates all these aspects.
The Discovery RE curriculum breaks learning down over the half term so that children access different stages, known as steps. We have written this into sequences of learning ensuring there is a progression of skills and knowledge as the children move through the academy. The steps within the scheme are as follows:
Step 1: Engagement – the children’s own experience is explored to act as a bridge from their world (which may or may not include religion) into the world of the religion being studied.
Step 2: Investigation – guides the children to explore and investigate appropriate subject knowledge relevant to the enquiry question
Step 3: Evaluation – an activity based on assessing how children can show their understanding and the depth of their critical evaluation
Step 4: Expression – this refers back to the starting point
The curriculum is mapped out, so the children study different religions, therefore building upon their skills and knowledge as they progress through the year groups. As we have mixed age classes our long-term plan maps out the cycles The following religions have been chosen:
Christianity is mapped out across all year groups
Islam is mapped across the cycles in Y1/2 and Y5/6
Judaism is taught in the Y1/2 cycle
Sikhism is taught in the Year 3/4 cycle
Buddhism is taught in the Year3/4 cycle
Hinduism is mapped out in the Year 5/6 cycle
Our children in the Early Years Foundation Stage look at learning outcomes through Christianity as well as appropriate festivals, stories or occasions pertinent to other beliefs and cultures.
As a school community we value the religious backgrounds of everyone. Our academy values demonstrate that We Respect and We Care about each other and encourage children to share their opinions and beliefs openly and freely acknowledging that every religion contributes to the education of our children. We have a strong link with our local church, Holy Trinity C of E, and volunteers come in weekly to hear the children read as well as the Reverend delivering services and workshops marking key Christian events. In order to bring learning alive, we offer a range of experiences whereby the children visit their local church, other places of worship and listen to visitors from other religions during assemblies or workshops.
