The purpose of education is to improve pupils’ life choices and broaden their horizons no matter what their background is.

At Co-Op Academy Hillside we do this by taking pupils beyond everyday learning and introducing them to a range of different viewpoints and perspectives. Our RE curriculum is inclusive, broad and balanced and designed to focus on the needs of our pupils.

In Religious Education, we give pupils the opportunity to learn about and from the six main religious traditions and cultures and also non-religious viewpoints. By learning about religion, our RE curriculum allows children to understand the types of views held by those in their local community and further afield, to visit places of worship and gain an awareness of how these religions have helped to shape the world they live in. By learning from religion, our RE curriculum allows children to think deeply about their own personal values and to understand how people of different backgrounds or beliefs may share similar values whilst also holding differing viewpoints.

Through the teaching of RE we broaden pupils’ horizons by asking questions and encouraging them to ask their own questions in order to develop their own critical thinking, self-beliefs and self-confidence. They are also introduced to key concepts and vocabulary that will help them discuss religious ideas and points of view. RE has the power to promote community cohesion and understanding as well as building on and helping to develop an individual’s personal ideas, beliefs and values. As well as teaching about different religious views points, it can share ideas about the meaning and purpose of life, ethical issues and views about right and wrong.