Religious Education*

Intent 

We want all children to leave Swindon Academy with the knowledge and skills to succeed in KS3 and beyond. Our Religion and Worldwide Views curriculum helps achieve this by: 

• Using an inquiry-based approach to encourage curiosity and deeper thinking 

• Helping children develop critical thinking skills by exploring and reflecting on different religions and worldviews 

• Teaching understanding and empathy for others' beliefs, religious or non-religious 

• Providing knowledge of a wide range of religions and worldviews 

• Encouraging respect for different ideas and beliefs, even when they differ from our own 

• Offering opportunities to build cultural capital through school and community experiences 

• Creating moments for mindfulness, awe, and wonder in lessons 

• Informing rather than persuading, allowing pupils to form their own views 

• Promoting positive attitudes towards diverse cultures and beliefs 

• Making the subject relevant and meaningful for every child 

 
Implementation 

At Swindon Academy, we follow the United Learning Religion and Worldviews Curriculum to ensure a clear, balanced, and progressive approach. Here's how we make it work for our pupils: 

• We follow the structure and sequencing of the United Curriculum for strong progression year by year 

• We adapt the delivery to meet the needs of our pupils and ensure lessons are engaging and relevant 

• The curriculum provides all children, regardless of background, with: 

A Clear and Thematic Framework Based on Three Key Concepts: 

• Sacrifice – Understanding why people give things up for others and the impact of those choices 

• Knowledge & Meaning – Exploring how religion and belief help people make sense of life and influence actions 

• Human Context – Recognising how time, place, and personal experience shape individual worldviews 

A Worldviews Approach That: 

• Reflects diverse beliefs and backgrounds, helping pupils see themselves and others in the curriculum 

• Encourages respectful, informed conversations about religion, belief, and culture 

• Builds religious literacy—the knowledge and skills to understand and talk about different worldviews 

Key Curriculum Features: 

• Inclusive vocabulary and content that works towards decolonising teaching materials in an accessible way 

• A scholarly approach that introduces pupils to theology, philosophy, and social sciences 

• Development of critical thinking and discussion skills using the methods of real scholars 

• Encouragement of curiosity, open-mindedness, and personal reflection on their own and others’ worldviews 

 

Impact- 

At Swindon Academy, our Religion and Worldviews curriculum helps children grow academically, personally, and socially by: 

• Encouraging pupils to explore big questions about life, meaning, and purpose 

• Supporting children to express their own beliefs, values, and ideas clearly 

• Providing opportunities for reflection, discussion, debate, and respectful dialogue 

• Building confidence in their own views and respect for others’ perspectives 

Preparing for Life in Modern Britain 

• Religion and Worldviews helps pupils develop essential knowledge, understanding, and skills for today’s diverse society 

• The United Learning syllabus ensures a strong academic foundation 

• Pupils gain a blend of knowledge and critical thinking skills 

• The curriculum supports pupils to succeed in future education, employment, and as thoughtful, active citizens 

 

* Parents have the right to withdraw their child from RE