Religion & Worldviews

Intent

At Great Missenden Primary School, we are explorers of Religions and Worldviews!

Our Religion and Worldviews (RW) curriculum inspires pupils to think deeply about life’s big questions, explore diverse beliefs, and understand how faith and values shape the world around them. Through the disciplines of Theology, Philosophy, and Human/Social Sciences, pupils learn to explore, question, and respond with empathy, curiosity, and respect.

Our curriculum follows the Buckinghamshire Locally Agreed Syllabus and the Oxford Diocese Board of Education (OBDE) framework, supported by the Kapow Primary RW scheme, which ensures clear progression and consistency across EYFS, KS1, and KS2. Kapow’s enquiry-based lessons provide a structured yet flexible framework that promotes engagement, encourages dialogue, and introduces pupils to a wide range of religions — including those less well-known — through artefacts, key texts, and meaningful discussion.

We intentionally develop subject-specific vocabulary and oracy skills so that pupils can articulate their ideas clearly, reason thoughtfully, and engage in respectful dialogue. Through adaptive teaching, scaffolding, and challenge, all children — including those with SEND and those working at greater depth — can access the curriculum and flourish in all areas.

Our RW curriculum is rooted in Great Missenden’s theologically inspired vision of “seeing through windows, opening doors, and looking in mirrors.” It nurtures spiritual growth, builds self-awareness, and equips pupils with the understanding, empathy, and critical thinking needed to participate positively in a diverse and interconnected world.

Implementation

At Great Missenden, we deliver Religion and Worldviews (RW) using the Oxford Diocese Board of Education (OBDE) framework, supported by the Kapow Primary RW curriculum. This partnership provides a clear, progressive structure that builds knowledge, understanding, and respect across year groups. Kapow’s enquiry-based lessons use engaging resources, key vocabulary progression, and reflective activities to connect theological, philosophical, and human/social learning with pupils’ own experiences.

Our teaching approach is inclusive and adaptive, ensuring all pupils can access and flourish within RW. Lessons incorporate:

• modelling
• scaffolded worksheets
• pre-teaching
• word banks
• visual inputs
• immersive reader
• targeted support

This supports in meeting the needs of all learners, while extension activities and deeper-thinking questions challenge greater-depth pupils to think critically and independently.

To enrich learning beyond the classroom, pupils:

• engage with artefacts
• explore sacred texts
• use digital media
• participate in drama and debates.

They also benefit from guest speakers, visits to places of worship, and strong partnerships with our local church and wider community, helping them to make meaningful links between faith, culture, and lived experience.

Through Kapow’s structured lesson design and Great Missenden’s inclusive ethos, pupils develop curiosity, confidence, and empathy — enabling them to explore diverse worldviews while reflecting deeply on their own beliefs and values.

Impact

Religion and Worldviews (RW) at Great Missenden develops pupils’ understanding and respect for a range of world religions and beliefs through engaging, inclusive, and enquiry-based learning. Using the Oxford Diocese Board of Education (OBDE) framework and Kapow Primary’s structured and progressive curriculum, pupils build secure knowledge of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and other worldviews, developing theological, philosophical, and human/social understanding over time.

RW encourages pupils to question, discuss, and reflect on life’s big questions — exploring meaning, morality, identity, and purpose. Lessons promote oracy, curiosity, and empathy, enabling pupils to express their own views respectfully while learning from others. Through Kapow’s vocabulary progression and oracy focus, children develop the language and confidence to articulate complex ideas and respond thoughtfully to different perspectives.

RW enhances pupils’ skills of enquiry, analysis, and evaluation, supporting both spiritual and personal growth. Pupils are inspired to think critically, explore belief through artefacts, texts, and discussion, and apply their learning to real-world contexts. Strong links with our local church, community, and visiting faith representatives deepen understanding and bring lived faith to life.

Through this approach, Religion and Worldviews at Great Missenden develops reflective, respectful, and open-minded learners, preparing them to flourish academically, spiritually, and personally — fully embodying our vision of “seeing through windows, opening doors, and reflecting in our personal mirrors.”

Your Right to withdraw from Religious Education

As a parent or guardian, you have the legal right to with draw your child from all or part of the Religious Education (RE) in schools.  Religious Education is part of the national curriculum and aims to teach about different religions and worldviews.  However, if you feel that the content does not align with your family's beliefs or values, you can choose to withdraw your child from some or all of RW.

If you wish to withdraw your child please inform the school in writing.