The story of Coventry Cathedral
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the history and significance of Coventry Cathedral.
Key learning points
- Coventry Cathedral was bombed during the Second World War.
- The new Coventry Cathedral is a symbol of hope and the future.
- The ruins of the old cathedral are preserved as a symbol of forgiveness.
- Two pieces of charred wood were made into a cross to represent reconciliation.
- The Reconciliation sculpture is a symbol of the power of forgiveness.
Keywords
Forgiveness - letting go of hurt and choosing kindness instead of anger
Reconciliation - fixing a broken friendship or making peace after a disagreement
Peace - living happily with others, without fighting or hurting each other
Hope - believing that good things can happen, even when times are hard
Common misconception
Christians might be angry at the destruction of a cathedral and seek revenge.
The people of Coventry rebuilt their cathedral as a symbol of hope in a better world based on forgiveness and reconciliation.
Teacher tip
The Coventry Cathedral website has a wealth of further information and images about the story of Coventry. There are specific resources for Primary schools as well as video clips retelling the story. Coventry Cathedral also offers high quality visits to the Cathedral for schools.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a cathedral?
Q2.What is the role of cathedrals in Christianity?
Q3.Why is it important to preserve historical sites?
Q4.What is a symbol?
Q5.If someone does something wrong, what can they say?
Q6.What does ‘peace’ mean?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What was built next to the ruins of the old cathedral?
Q2.Why is Coventry Cathedral important to Christians?
Q3.What does reconciliation mean?
Q4.What is the main role of Coventry Cathedral today?
To help you plan your 5 religious education lesson on: The story of Coventry Cathedral, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 religious education lesson on: The story of Coventry Cathedral, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 religious education lessons from the Forgiveness: Is reconciliation possible? unit, dive into the full primary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.