Autumn Term 1

Nursery - Harvest. Why do people of faith say thank you to God at harvest time?

Children will:

• Know similarities and differences between families and communities
• Know people celebrate difference cultural, religious and community events
• Know about harvest and why is it important to help others

Reception - I am Special. Why are we all different and special?

In this topic the children will know:

• That Christians believe that they are made by God. 
• That everyone is unique, special and loved. 
• That Christians believe that God is their heavenly father.
• That both Allah and God are known by many names.

Year 1: Harvest

In this topic, the children will:

• Know that not everyone in the world enjoys a good harvest. 
• Know about Christian charities that are helping people who live in poor countries. 
• Know that Christians believe it is good to say thank you to God for the harvest. 
• Know that the Jewish festival of harvest is called Sukkot.

Year 2: Holy Books

In this topic, the children will:

• Know that the Bible is the Christian holy book
• Know that the Bible is a library of books. 
• Know that followers of Islam read a holy book called the Qu’ran.
• Know that followers of Sikhism read a holy book called the Guru Granth Sahib.

Year 3: Harvest

In this topic, children will:

• Know that Christians celebrate the harvest and is a way of thanking God. 
• Know that the Bible gives instruction that people should give their first and their finest grain. 
• Know that communities around the world celebrate the harvest in different ways. 
• Know that charities help those who do not have a good harvest by providing food and support.

Year 4: Places of Worship 

In this topic, children will:

• Know that not all church buildings are the same but have similar features according to denomination.
• Know that world faiths have different places of worship
• Know that a mosque is a place of worship for Muslims.
• Know that a gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikhs.
• Name features of places of worship and give key information about them.

Year 5: Sacred Texts

In this topic, children will:

• Know that Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. 
• Know that there are many translations of the Bible. 
• Know that the Bible and other holy books guides believers and affects their daily lives. 
• Know about the origin and content of holy books from the world faiths I have investigated.

Year 6: Life as a Journey 

In this topic, children will:

• that Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. 
• that there are many translations of the Bible. 
• that the Bible and other holy books guides believers and affects their daily lives. 
• about the origin and content of holy books from the world faiths I have investigated.

Autumn Term 2

Special visitors from Laird Street Baptist Church

Pastors from Laird Street Baptist Church kindly volunteered to come into our school and retell the Christmas story to our children. They sang carol songs with a guitar, read  stories and poems about Christmas and even gave all the children gifts. A very special thanks to Cathy, Audrey and Ken for taking up your precious time to support the children's learning about the Christmas story.

Nursery:  Celebrations - Christmas

In this topic, children will:

• Know that for Christians, Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. 
• Know the key events of the Nativity story.

Reception: Christmas. How do Christians celebrate Jesus’ Birthday?

In this topic, children will:

• Know that for Christians, Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday. 
• Know that Jesus was a very special baby, the Son of God. 
• Know that Diwali is Hindu festival of light celebrated in the Autumn.

Year 1: Giving and Receiving Gifts

In this topic, children will:

• Know that Diwali and Hanukkah are religious festivals
• Know that people of faith celebrate festivals by giving and receiving gifts.
• Know that the wise men visited Jesus after the shepherds. 
• Know that Christians believe that Jesus is a gift from God.

Year 2: Good News 

In this topic, children will:

• Know that Christians believe that the birth of Jesus is good news. 
• Know that angels brought the good news to Zachariah, Mary and the shepherds. 
• Know that Christians believe Jesus is the saviour of the world.

Year 3: Christmas 

In this topic, children will:

• Know that Jesus is called Emmanuel and that means God with us. 
• Know that Christians believe Jesus is God’s son. 
• Know that Christians believe the presence of God changes lives.

Year 4: Symbols of Light

In this topic, children will:

• Know that Christians believe that Jesus is the light of the world. 
• Know that Christians believe the light of Jesus brings hope in dark places. 
• Know that Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of light. 

Year 5: Christmas

In this topic, children will:

• Know holy scriptures are valued by faith followers because believers say they come from a holy leader
• Know that the nativity story is found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke 
• Know the true meaning of Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, Messiah. 
• Know the Nativity is a key part of  the Christian 'God’s Big Story’.

Year 6: Advent

In this topic, children will:

• Know Advent is a time of preparation and the season of hope. 
• Know the themes associated with advent -  hope, love, joy and peace.
• Know during Advent the church spends time focussing on the promise of Jesus’ return.