PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
As a Church of England School, we strive to ensure that our pupils develop the 'whole child', including their personal and spiritual development. In doing so, we aim to instil virtues and traits into our children so that they recognise and appreciate the variety of cultures, beliefs and diversities in the world.
Whilst we know that there are many factors that enable children to personally develop, throughout our curriculum we enable children to do so through the study of Religious Education (RE) and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) including Relationships and Health Education (RHSE).
RE
At Essendon, our children develop a sound knowledge not only of Christianity but also of other world religions. In doing so, children can reflect on what it means to have a faith and to develop their own spiritual knowledge and understanding. We help the children learn from religions as well as about religions.
Our units of work come from the Discovery RE scheme. Discovery RE is an enquiry approach to Religious Education for Primary Schools. Modules cover Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism to both engage and challenge children with their understanding of RE.
Christianity is taught in every year group, with Christmas and Easter given fresh treatment each year, developing children’s learning in a progressive way.
RE skills and knowledge ladder
Homewood visitor to discuss Christian beliefs
PSHE/RHSE
At Essendon Primary School, we learn about Relationships, Personal, Social and Health Education as a whole-school in every area of our school life, this is part of The Essendon Way and our Vision and Values. The Relationships and Health Education curriculum is taught through the Kapow Programme, a carefully sequenced Scheme of Work which brings consistency and progression to our children’s learning in this important curriculum area. Lessons are age appropriate and any sensitive teaching is shared with parents and carers so that they can support at home.