Cultural Learning & RE

As a school, we aim to ensure that our children are equipped with the attitudes and understanding that will enable them to make a positive contribution to the world they are entering into. Being able to understand and respect differences between people, cultures and beliefs is an important attribute to instil within children for the future. Alongside this, we aim for children to recognise the needs, rights and responsibilities that we all share.

The school’s curriculum provides a range of opportunities for children to learn about different cultures and beliefs. Through their cultural learning, children explore a range of artistic traditions (Art and Design) and learn about the experiences of people in different communities around the world (Geography), making comparisons with their own lives, communities and experiences. Our Religious Education curriculum (informed by the Dorset SACRE Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education) provides the opportunity for children to learn about a range of world beliefs and to gain their own personal insights into what it means to live within a multi faith society, and to reflect upon what it means to be human. Within every year group, children carry out a focused study of Christianity and a focused study of another world religion. Each year group also carries out a thematic study, which aims to provide opportunities for children to make comparisons between different religions, recognising the many common values that exist between the belief systems they study. We supplement this learning through the use of philosophy sessions, which aim to develop children’s positive attitudes towards valuing the ideas and contributions that others bring. In addition, once children enter key stage 2, they begin to learn a modern foreign language (French), which further supports their respect for our diverse world, whilst also developing their communication skills.