Learning Outside the Classroom
Learning opportunitiesWhether their purpose is religious education, history, geography, art or citizenship education, visits to sacred spaces provide an exciting and powerful stimulus for learning, a sensory experience involving sights, sounds, smells, touch, and even on some visits, tastes.
For religious education the context for a visit to a sacred space will be determined by the locally agreed or diocesan syllabus. These will identify or suggest whichreligions are taught at each Key Stage. The non-statutory framework for religious education makes recommendation that at all four Key Stages and the Foundation Stage there are curriculum opportunities to visit places of worship. The focus of these experiences is developmental according to Key Stage, should include both learning about and from religion and give opportunities for personal reflection.
Interfaith Kirklees (Schools) offers visits to the newly launched Oakwell Hall Faith Garden and Faith Trail where the Learning Package is based on the Circle of Life. There are opportunities for philosophical questions, enquiry-based learning and times for asking the BIG questions alongside time for peace, quiet and reflection whether pupils and adults are of a faith or have no faith.
This 2 hour visit combines with a 2 hour visit to one of the 7 faith centres. There are Learning Packages at all Faith Centres to complement the Garden and Trail focus. The teacher makes the decision as to which Faith Centre to visit. Booking a coach for a whole day is only slightly more expensive than for half a day, so this is a more prudent way of using limited finances to ensure that your pupils have a quality learning experience.
LOOK OUT FOR THE FLIERS EARLY IN SEPTEMBER!
Learning Outside the Classroom - SACRED SPACE