Philosophy, Religion & Ethics (PRE)
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Our Philosophy, Religion and Ethics curriculum is unique to Avanti. Its emphasis on critical thinking and mindfulness makes it ground breaking. It gives pupils opportunities to:
- deepen their own spiritual insight
- consider the world’s major religious beliefs
- deepen their knowledge of the distinctive Hindu tradition which inspires the school’s ethos
- celebrate the common positive values which all faiths share
PRE plays a large role in the development of pupils’ spiritual insight. “The basic principle of the living condition is that we have a general propensity to love someone. No one can live without loving someone else. This propensity is present in every living being. Even an animal like a tiger has this loving propensity at least in a dormant stage, and it is certainly present in the human beings. The missing point, however, is where to repose our love so that everyone can become happy.” – Srila Prabhupada.
To be truly wealthy is to have a fulfilled heart, and that means to love and be loved (one of our core principles). The joy of love is the true wealth inherent in all of us, and learning to recognise it is what spiritual insight is all about. Whilst the curriculum is rooted in the Chaitanya Vaishnava Hindu tradition, the intention is to learn comparatively, so that there is a dialogue about the similarities and differences across faiths and other world views, including humanist, naturalist and atheist. Our PRE-curriculum provides a platform from where pupils can discuss big life questions; learning about how to live a life based on the Avanti values and cor
What does PRE look like in EYFS and KS1?
In EYFS and KS1 our young philosophers engage in a variety of learning activities to explore the school values of empathy, self-discipline, respect, integrity, courage and gratitude. Children will learn stories and recite songs/mantras to do with key texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Chaitanya Charitamrita. They will also learn about spiritual personalities such as Lord, Rama, Lord Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the different avatars of Krishna. A range of mediums such as song, dance, games, drama and writing activities help children to understand Vaishnava culture and philosophy at this early age.
What does PRE look like in KS2?
In KS2 children build on their earlier learning and progress further with key spiritual texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, The Bhagavad Gita, Nectar of Instruction and more Vedic texts. Our curriculum underpins key themes such as, God & The Self, God & the World and The Self & The World. Children are taught how to think deeper, meditate, ask philosophical questions and communicate with the divine. This is done through a range of lessons and units of work which encompass drama, debate, meditation, writing activities including prayers, self-reflection tasks, reciting Bhagavad Gita quotes and understanding their meaning as well as opportunities to collaborate as a team.
Children explore big philosophical questions based on the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion & ignorance), karma, the nature of the divine, creation & destruction, justice, life & death and much more. All of the learning leads Avanti pupils to enhance their critical thinking as well as develop their spiritual insight, which helps to form their character as an individual.