Religious Education Contents
Religious Education Overview
Our Religious Education Curriculum in based on UK recommendations, International perspectives and the Anglican faith. We provide a comprehensive program that focuses on a set of agreed core values. Our curriculum also includes the topics of Christianity, Other religions and cultures, The story of Jesus, Holy Week and Easter traditions, Celebration around the world, Symbolism and Worship. Our Anglican specific content will Include Scripture, Sacraments, Traditions, Church its history, worship and structure, The Holy Spirit, Prayer, Charity and Social transformation.
St. Michael’s International School is closely identified with St. Michael’s Cathedral, Kobe and therefore with the Anglican tradition of the Protestant Church. As such, Religious Education (RE) plays an important part in the life of the school, contributing to the school’s Christian ethos. RE makes a distinctive contribution to the school curriculum by developing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of religion, and the religious beliefs, practices and traditions that have an influence on individuals, communities and cultures. It enables pupils to respond to important questions related to spiritual development and the meaning and
purpose of life. The aim of RE is: ‘Religious Education will support children and young people in reflecting upon, developing and affirming their own beliefs, values and attitudes, through an exploration of shared human experiences and of the place and significance of religion in the contemporary world.’
RE provides opportunities for children to:
• develop their knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other
religions around the world
• explore issues within, and between, faiths to help children respect
different religions and traditions
• learn about religious and ethical teaching
• develop their sense of identity and belonging
• prepare them for life as citizens
• reflect on, and analyse, their own beliefs, values and practices.
At St. Michael’s, RE plays an important role, together with other curriculum areas, in promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our children. The teaching of RE is based on the QCA Agreed Syllabus and is approached with the following principles in mind:
There are no presumptions made as to the religious backgrounds, beliefs and values of the children and the staff. We respect the religious backgrounds of all members of the school community and hope that this will encourage individuals to share their own experiences freely with others.
All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity. We value the links that are made between home, school and a faith community.
We appreciate that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils. We teach RE in a way that stresses open enquiry and first-hand experiences, wherever possible, for both staff and children. The syllabus is implemented in school by means of a sensory approach, whereby children can look at and handle religious artefacts and hear religious music or taste food from a religious tradition. Work in RE builds on the pupils’ own experiences by means of the Introductory Pupil Units for each Year Group. This framework forms the basis for the Scheme of Work for Religious Education at St. Michael’s, with the Content Descriptions from the Syllabus for each unit and any useful materials for teaching each unit.
These materials include ideas for teaching/learning activities from published and other sources.
We provide a comprehensive Values Education program that focuses on:
Integrity,
Care and Compassion,
Responsibility,
Respect,
Understanding,
Tolerance and inclusion,
Honesty and trustworthiness,
Doing your best
St. Michael’s International School celebrates a cycle of Christian celebrations in the school calendar that include: St. Michael’s Day Service, Founders’ Day Service, Harvest Festival, Christmas and Easter.
Good Neighbour Week is an opportunity to reflect and respond to the needs
of others.
