Religion & Worldviews

Intent

At Great Missenden Primary School, we are explorers of Religions and Worldviews. Our RW curriculum inspires pupils to engage with life’s big questions, explore diverse beliefs, and understand how faith and values shape the world. Through Theology, Philosophy, and Human and Social Sciences, pupils develop curiosity, empathy, and respect.

Following the Buckinghamshire Locally Agreed Syllabus, supported by the Oxford Diocese Board of Education (ODBE) framework and Kapow Primary, the curriculum ensures clear progression. Enquiry-based learning introduces a wide range of religions and worldviews through artefacts, texts, and discussion. A strong focus on vocabulary and oracy enables pupils to articulate ideas and engage in respectful dialogue. Rooted in our vision of “windows, doors and mirrors,” RW nurtures spiritual growth and self-awareness, preparing pupils for life in a diverse society.

Implementation

RW is delivered through the ODBE framework and Kapow Primary, providing a structured and progressive approach. Lessons combine theological, philosophical, and human/social learning, connecting knowledge to real-life contexts.

Teaching is inclusive and adaptive, using modelling, scaffolding, pre-teaching, visual resources, and targeted support to ensure all pupils access learning. Greater-depth pupils are challenged through deeper enquiry and critical thinking.

Learning is enriched through artefacts, sacred texts, digital media, and oracy-based activities such as debate and drama. Visits, guest speakers, and links with the local church enable pupils to encounter lived faith and deepen understanding.

Impact

Pupils develop secure knowledge of Christianity and other worldviews, alongside the ability to question, analyse, and reflect. They confidently express ideas using subject-specific vocabulary and engage respectfully with differing beliefs.

RW fosters curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. Pupils make meaningful connections between belief and lived experience, demonstrating openness and respect. Through this, they grow as reflective individuals, embodying our vision and flourishing academically, spiritually, and personally.

^ 2026 SIAMs Feedback

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.

Our Curriculum

Our RW curriculum nurtures curiosity, reflection and faith through Kapow and ODBE units, rooted in deep understanding. Inspired by Matthew 7:7–8, pupils are encouraged to "Ask, Seek and Knock" as they journey along the Great Missenden pathway of hope.

Through windows, doors and mirrors, they explore diverse worldviews, reflect on their own beliefs and step beyond themselves to engage meaningfully with the wider world, enabling all to flourish spiritually and intellectually.

Kapow at Great Missenden

The three Kapow documents — vocabulary progression, progression of skills and knowledge, and the long-term plan — provide a coherent, progressive framework for Religion and Worldviews. The vocabulary progression ensures pupils build increasingly sophisticated substantive, personal and disciplinary language, enabling them to express belief, interpretation and reflection with clarity . The progression of skills and knowledge develops understanding of beliefs, practices, morality and community from EYFS to Year 6, alongside enquiry skills such as questioning, interpreting sources and evaluating viewpoints . The long-term plan sequences big questions across year groups, encouraging exploration of meaning, purpose and belief through enquiry-led learning .

Together, these support Great Missenden’s “windows, doors and mirrors” vision. Pupils act as theologians by exploring beliefs and sacred texts (windows into faith), philosophers by questioning meaning and morality (doors to deeper thinking), and human/social scientists by examining lived experiences and community practices (mirrors for reflection). This integrated approach enables pupils to develop empathy, critical thinking and self-awareness, preparing them to understand both others and themselves within a diverse world.