Religious Education
At Gascoigne Primary School, we believe that Religious Education assists us in promoting the moral, spiritual, cultural and social development of children; preparing them for the responsibilities that they will undertake in the future. We believe that to prepare our students for life in the global community it is vital that we equip them with the skills and opportunities to make judgements about ethical and moral issues, as well as making informed decisions regarding their own beliefs and the beliefs of others.
We strongly believe that all children need to acquire the core knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of the major religions and world views which not only shape their history and culture, but also guide their own development. The modern world needs young people who are confident in their own beliefs and values, so that they can respect the religious and cultural differences between people and contribute to a cohesive and compassionate society.
Therefore, at Gascoigne Primary School, considering the needs of our pupils and our diverse school community, teachers seek to develop the characters in our classrooms in line with our curriculum vision statement (Ourselves, Our World, Our Education, Our Rights).
We offer an L.B.B.D (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham) agreed syllabus for Religious Education, and it is implemented through the school’s RE scheme of work.
On top of delivering high quality teaching and learning through planned lessons, teachers at Gascoigne Primary School plan and create opportunities for pupils to experience and visit places of worships, and role-play ceremonies and rituals to enable them to immerse themselves in their diverse global communities.
As a result, we are able to build on our students’ understanding of the British Values of Mutual Respect and Tolerance. Through hands-on experiences, our students develop their understanding of the similarities and differences between religious and non-religious world views, alongside developing a deeper understanding and reflection of their own beliefs and practices.
The provision for Religious Education has been graded good in our recent Ofsted report, with the report stating, “For example, in Religious Education, leaders have identified precisely the subject-specific knowledge and skills that pupils will learn in each topic. This helps teachers to check that pupils are gaining knowledge and remembering what they should be” (Ofsted official report-June 2022).
Our students also develop a genuine interest and understanding towards people from various faiths, and parents usually give us positive feedback regarding that. See below for some recent feedback that a parent shared via Seesaw.
Celebration of Interfaith Week at Gascoigne Primary School
At Gascoigne, we believe that diversity is one of our greatest strengths! This Interfaith Week, we invite our school community to join us in exploring and celebrating the rich tapestry of faiths and beliefs that make up our vibrant society. ✨
From 11th November to 16th November to our students took part in various activities, including interfaith dialogues. Our aim is to foster understanding, respect, and inclusivity among all members of our community.
Highlights of the Week:
Flag Raising Ceremony:
This week, our school proudly participated in the Interfaith Week celebrations, showcasing our commitment to diversity and community spirit. We attended a vibrant flag-raising ceremony at the town hall, joined by local authorities and fellow community members, reinforcing the importance of understanding and respecting different faiths.
To make the event even more special, our students performed a beautiful song that conveyed a profound message of unity and love. ✨ Their voices blended harmoniously, reminding us all that despite our differences, we are united by our shared human values.
We encourage our school community to continue fostering these values and embracing the rich tapestry of cultures that surrounds us.
Art Exhibition: Pupils showcased their creative interpretations of unity and diversity. Pupils in year 1 created posters using symbols of various religions, showing their understanding of belonging.
Get Involved! We encourage everyone to share their thoughts and experiences related to faith and beliefs. Together, let’s make this a memorable celebration filled with learning and friendship! Let’s bring our school community closer together through understanding! Here is
a fantastic experienced shared by out school pupils and a member of staff. Our RE lead interviewed many students as well as members of staff during this week. Here is a fantastic example, as it co-incited with Diwali.
Exciting Visit to our Local Church!
We are thrilled that our Year 1 pupils had an opportunity to visit our local church this half-term! This engaging experience is not just an outing but a wonderful opportunity for our Year 1 pupils to delve into the exciting world of their R.E. curriculum, exploring the question:
What does it mean to belong to Christianity?
As we embark on this journey, our students had the chance to immerse themselves in a place of worship, fostering curiosity and respect for diverse cultures and beliefs within our community. This visit was designed to ignite the children's interest and enrich their learning, while perfectly aligning with British Values by promoting respect and understanding of our multi-faith society. We believe that by learning about different cultures and sharing experiences, we are preparing our pupils for a harmonious future in our vibrant community.
Here are some photos of our pupils visiting the local church.
“My excited pupils, ready to explore the place of worship for Christians” says, Mrs. Parmar and Mrs. Vora
“Mrs Vora, this is a holy Bible! Bible is the holy book of Christians", says Zarish, Olajide and Oliver!
Children's Work
Gascoigne Primary School is a rights respecting school.
UNCRC Rights:
Article 30 Every child has the right to practice one’s own culture, language and religion.
Article 14
Every child has the right to think and believe what they want and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights.