Religion, Values and Ethics

Religion, Values and Ethics (RVE) is a statutory requirement in the Curriculum for Wales for all learners from up 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. 

The Faculty of Humanities has the responsibility for the delivery of RVE, but many aspects of this are seen through themes and cross curricular delivery through wider aspects of school life and the development of the new curriculum.