Religious Education (RE)
Religious Education is taught using a range of teaching strategies and multi-sensory activities with a transdisciplinary approach.
We try to link the curriculum to all aspects of life and learning and endeavour to draw on the different experiences and backgrounds of our students. The children explore the six major faiths of the world; Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism, through visiting their places of worship, seeing physical artefacts, and experiencing their film, music, art and drama.
Highlights of RE provision at Fairley House include annual trips to a synagogue, a local church, a Hindu Mandir, a Mosque, a Sikh Temple (and Gurdwara Langar) and Lambeth Palace. These first-hand experiences are supplemented by inviting guests to Fairley House to share their faith and answer students’ questions.
We enhance students’ learning and engagement by thoughtfully linking RE to other areas of the curriculum, such as:
- PSHEE – citizenship, democracy and human rights
- SMSC – spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
- British values – mutual respect and tolerance
- History – Greek / Roman – many gods versus one God
- Art – creating stained glass windows, exploring architecture, rangoli patterns
- Music and poetry – worship in religious services and contemporary musicians
- Science – by comparing and contrasting views with religious beliefs
- English – discussion, reading and writing
- Drama – role play
We encourage the pupils to reflect on figures such as Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi and consider the relationship between religion, state and power dynamics. Students are challenged by past and present events, such as 9/11, the slave trade, prejudices and bias, radicalism and apartheid. All opinions and feelings are expressed openly and respectfully in a safe, non-threatening environment. We aim to motivate students to develop sound judgements and expound the values of understanding and tolerance in their own lives and wider society.
Our School
London’s leading day school for children with specific learning differences
