OUR FEDERATION ETHOS IS:

DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM TO DO UNTO YOU - LUKE 6:31

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We are very proud to follow this ethos in everything we do and say and this ethos is also reflected in Our Golden Rules.

• Do be gentle - don't hurt anybody
• Do be kind - don't hurt people's feelings
• Do be honest - don't cover up the truth
• Do work hard - don't waste time
• Do look after property - don't waste or damage things
• Do listen to people - don't interrupt

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM

CLICK HERE to view the Koinonia Federation Religious Education Map.

At the Koinonia Federation we follow the Southwark Diocese Education Board’s Scheme of work (SBDE) and also the Royal Borough of Greenwich Syllabus.The pupils follow a set series of Religious topics which focus on developing their understanding of the world we live in and the people we live with.

The purpose of RE is to support pupils in developing a knowledge of the world around them, understand the diversity within society, and to support their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Children are actively encouraged through a range of topics and avenues to think about their beliefs when studying Christianity or other religions. Lessons involve enquiry, discussion, visits and creativity. Children are encouraged to link their learning with the Federation Ethos and the Golden Rules enabling them to become more rounded with an understanding of the world around them.

This involves each individual being encouraged to interpret and respond to a variety of concepts, beliefs and practices within religions and to their own and others’ cultural and life experiences.

A key purpose of our RE teaching is to foster mutual understanding between students of differing religious and cultural backgrounds developing an acceptance and engagement with the fundamental British values of mutual respect and tolerance.

Over the year each year group will cover a range of religions as well as a number of Christian Units. As they do so they are always reminded of their own faith and encouraged to compare other faiths to their own beliefs, thus cementing their beliefs.

As R.E has such a high focus, it is treated as a core subject and each class has a vibrant area displaying work completed by pupils in their current topic for R.E. Work is expected to be of the same high quality as that produced in English, Science and Maths and best work is then put in the class Showcase book to be shared with other teachers and external visitors.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SYLLABUS THAT WE FOLLOW

The RE curriculum identifies that people follow different beliefs and have different interpretations of the world. It teaches that acknowledging difference is necessary to ensure social harmony. Accepting difference does not imply agreement; nor does it imply that all difference is acceptable. Teachers have a responsibility to help students to develop their beliefs and values, therefore the syllabus places particular importance upon the spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding our pupils need to develop.

In addition children will visit The Southwark Cathedral, St Mary Magdalene Church, Christ Church and other religious buildings for study, not for worship.  It is very important children are allowed to attend all trips arranged as this forms part of their religious understanding.

RE IS TAUGHT WEEKLY AND IS 1 ¼ HOURS IN KS1 AND 1 ½ HOURS IN KS2. 

As a church school, prayer and worship is fundamental to our daily routine and so children will attend Collective Worship daily, where prayer always takes place. During Collective Worship a theme is discussed and prayers and songs are included. A new theme is chosen each half term and linked to a scripture from the bible. Each collective worship will be linked to the theme for the term. Children also pray at lunch time and at home time and whenever they feel the need to do so during the day. For this purpose all classes are equipped with a Prayer/Reflection Area, which children can visit at any time in the day.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

Collective Worship follows a specific routine with a greeting being used to open Collective Worship as in Church of England and ending with a prayer. Each Collective Worship is different with:

• Monday - Leadership Team lead Collective Worship 
• Tuesday - Class Teacher/Visitor lead Collective Worship 
• Wednesday - Worship through song
• Thursday – Visitor/Class lead Collective Worship
• Friday – Celebration Collective Worship 

Collective Worship Policy

Parents hold regular meetings to pray. All parents are encouraged to come along.

Also actively involved in ensuring the Christian Distinctiveness of the School are the Pupil Faith Team, comprised of one pupil from each class. Each school within the Federation has a Pupil Faith Team.  Apart from overseeing Prayer Areas and writing prayers, the Pupil Faith Team at each campus meet regularly with the R.E. Lead to discuss matters pertaining to the Christian Characteristics of the School. They participate in major Christian events like Harvest and Christmas Services and are responsible for the changes that take place in the Public Prayer Areas at each campus. The Pupil Faith Team lead Collective Worship on a regular basis and plan and deliver it themselves.  They have taken responsibility for ensuring Christian and other Festivals are well advertised and that children understand the significance behind specific events such as Christingle, Easter, Diwali and Chinese New Year as examples.

BRITISH VALUES

The Government emphasises that schools are required by law to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools.  The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five British Values are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

You can find out more about how we teach British value here.

At Koinonia Federation we adopt strategies within the National Curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for our pupils.   Our adherence to this is evident in everyday situations such as election of School Council, our Golden Rules, our expectations of behaviour, our e-safety and internet policy programme.