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Religious Education

Religious Education at St Matthew’s is taught through the use of the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education syllabus and lies at the very heart of our curriculum and school life. It reflects and conveys our role as a Christian School and also enables our children to explore aspects of other religious faiths. Through the teaching of Religious Education, we aim to promote spiritual and moral development and to develop understanding and respect for people of other faiths.

Within our Religious Education curriculum we develop the courageous advocacy of our pupils, by providing real-life contexts for learning and opportunities for pupils to explore topical issues. We cultivate the essential skills and values (such as self-awareness and respect) in order to prepare our pupils for living well with fellow citizens; and to realise their hopes and aspirations so that they are empowered to take action to create a more just and sustainable world together, at local, national and global levels.

To support pupils in developing their own thinking and their understanding of Christianity we also use 'Understanding Christianity' as a resource. This enables our pupils to make meaningful links to their experiences of the world, such as demonstrating Biblical truths in their actions.

As a school we attend St Matthew’s Church several times a year both to support our curriculum learning and to celebrate Christian festivals within the church community. A member of the clergy works alongside our pupils to deliver one act of collective worship each week.

Collective Worship

Our daily Collective Worship is inclusive and complements our school curriculum, aiming to:

• offer the opportunity to worship God as a whole school community

• develop a sense of awe and wonder through spiritual reflection

• develop a sense of self awareness

• teach and discuss all aspects of the Christian faith and relate teachings to everyday life

• demonstrate the distinctiveness of the Anglican tradition

• promote Christian values and a common ethos in line with the mission and aims of the school

• encourage reflection and to explore personal belief and extend into other faith traditions

• encourage participation and reflection upon moral issues and reinforce positive attitudes

Weekly themes reflect major events in the Church calendar, but will also include opportunities to discuss appropriate PSHCE themes with Biblical references, such as friendship; studying Bible stories; studying people from the Bible; other faith festivals or responding to world events. Children contribute to collective worship session through readings, singing, prayers, responding to questions and prompts, participating in activities such as drama.