Subject Leader for Worldviews Education – Carlie Smart
My name is Carlie Smart and I am passionate about Worldviews Education and the opportunities it gives children to understand themselves, others and the diverse world in which we live. My fascination with different worldviews began when I was in primary school, when I was fortunate enough to regularly visit a Gurdwara with my best friend and learn about her beliefs, practices and the ways in which these shaped her and her family’s life. This experience stayed with me and sparked a curiosity about the many different ways people understand and make sense of the world.
At school, I particularly enjoyed the philosophical side of Religious Education but it was not until I took on the role of Leader of Distinctive Christian Ethos and Pupil Wellbeing Champion at a previous setting that I truly understood the significance of the subject and the profound impact it can have on so many aspects of children’s lives.
During this time, I began exploring and educating myself on a wide range of religious and non-religious worldviews and became fascinated by what motivates people, what shapes their beliefs and how these beliefs influence the way they live. I developed a particular passion for courageous advocacy and led whole-school projects to raise awareness, funds and resources for local, national and global charities. One of my proudest achievements was our school receiving recognition through SIAMS for providing an Outstanding offer for children across all areas.
When I joined Waltham Gateway Academy, I wanted to ensure that our children had the opportunity to encounter a rich and diverse range of religious and non-religious worldviews, developing curiosity, empathy and the confidence to ask thoughtful questions about the world around them.
We have therefore adopted a Religion and Worldviews approach, which recognises that everyone has or occupies a worldview — no one is neutral. I believe this is at the heart of what makes the subject so important. I want children to leave our classrooms with more than knowledge about different faiths and beliefs; I want them to leave with genuine curiosity, respect and an appreciation of the rich diversity of human experience. As Hans Christian Andersen said, “To travel is to live,” and I believe that Worldviews Education can offer children a similar journey without ever leaving the classroom — allowing them to encounter different perspectives, challenge assumptions, broaden their horizons and walk, for a moment, in someone else’s shoes. Above all, I want every child to understand that being curious about faith, belief and the worldviews of others is not about finding everyone the same; it is about learning to listen, question, understand and respect difference while developing the confidence to explore and articulate their own ideas.