Religion, values and ethics (RVE)

RVE is a statutory requirement in the Curriculum for Wales for all learners from age 3 to 16.

At the heart of the Curriculum for Wales are the four purposes, which set out the aspirations for all learners. By the age of 16, they should be:  

• ambitious, capable learners, ready to learn throughout their lives, 

• enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work  

• ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world  

• healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society. 

 

RVE makes an important and distinctive contribution to supporting the four purposes by giving learners opportunities to:  

• engage with and explore ultimate and philosophical questions about the meaning, significance and purpose of life, and about the nature of human thought and of the universe, and the connections between them 

• undertake enquiries and engage with sources of wisdom and philosophy that encourage them to explore the challenges, opportunities and responses of human beings in the context of their cynefin, locally, in Wales and the wider world, as well as support them in evaluating their own perspectives and those of others  develop and express their own informed viewpoints, which prepares them for lifelong learning in a pluralistic and diverse world.  

• use their knowledge and understanding of both institutional and personal religious and non-religious worldviews to think critically about their own values and about how they might make important social and personal decisions  

• explore the ways in which religion and non-religious philosophical convictions have influenced human experience throughout history, so that they can make sense of their place in the world, imagine possible futures and create responsible solutions that take in to account the diverse needs and rights of all people  

• evaluate and use evidence from a range of religious and non-religious sources to engage with ethical and moral issues, past and contemporary, that challenge their knowledge and values. This enables learners to develop an understanding of religion and belief, culture, community, their cynefin, Wales and the wider world now and in the past, which can help to nurture a sense of place and belonging  

• respond sensitively to religion and non-religious philosophical convictions and explore the beliefs and practices of people in their community, Wales and the wider world, and how these might impact their actions and choices  

• develop secure values and establish their ethical beliefs and spirituality through the exploration of religion and non-religious philosophical convictions on a range of issues, which can in turn enable them to form positive relationships based upon trust and mutual respect  

• discuss and reflect on their own perspectives and those of others on a range of issues which, help them to build their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being by developing confidence, resilience and empathy. 

Nursery	Discuss - Everyone should have a home. What do different religions believe about charity? How might peoples' homes represent their worldview and identity?  Do people have to go to buildings to pray? Do all religious and non religious people feel the same towards our environment?
Reception	Discuss - Humans are more important than creatures. Do all religions believe that humans are superior to animals? Are material items more valuable than people?  Should we and do we all have free will? What are our responsibilities to our world?
Year 1	Discuss - Only the government can make a difference to our environment. Do all religions act as stewards? What significance can individuals make in protecting our environment?  Do we live in a wonderful world? If you could create a perfect world, what would it look like?
Year 2	Discuss - Sometimes it's ok to lie. What are the 'golden rules'? How do we respond to injustice? Are there different types of truth? Can it ever be right to deny a human right?
Year 3	Discuss - Sometimes the law is wrong. How do muslims put the golden rules in practice? What does social justice look like?  What are our responsibilities towards justice? What roles do organisations have in fighting injustice?
Year 4	Discuss - We should all follow the same belief system. What opinions do different religious and non religious people have? How do we show inclusivity? Do we always have to respect the beliefs of others? Should people get into trouble for not being inclusive to others?
Year 5	Discuss - We should stop advancing medicine because the world doesn't have the resources for the growing population. How do views about the Big Bang theory differ? How does our culture impact our attitudes to science/ medicine? How has the discovery of technology impacted religion? Should anyone be able to opt out of medical treatment?
Year 6	Discuss - All countries should follow a capitalist approach. Is capitalism a religion?  What impact can the work of individuals have on protecting the lives of others? Should all business people follow an ethical code? Should we boycott businesses that have bad business ethics?
Year 7	Discuss - All communities in Britain look the same. How do religious communities support our community? What does the census information tell us about our community? Should we all follow a community code? What does Britishness look like?
Year 8	Discuss - An individual cannot make a big difference to equality in our society. Can religious and non religious individuals really make a big difference to equality within our local, national and international communities?  Do all religions have the same worldview towards charity? Are our rights upheld and protected within our cynefin?  What role do religious and non religious organisations play in protecting our rights?