Religious Education Curriculum
We use the scheme: "The Way, The Truth and The Light" for the teaching of RE across school from N ursery through to Year 6. This is supplemented with a week's focus on "other faiths" at the beginning of Autumn 2, Spring 2 and Summer 2.
As a Catholic School, we strive to bring faith and culture together, relating and applying the freshness of Christ's message to human living today. As a Catholic School our identity is not exclusively related to religious instruction but is integrated throughout academic studies into a unified whole. "Catholics believe that Religious Education is not one subject amongst many, but the foundation of the entire education process. The beliefs and values it communicates should inspire and unify every aspect of school life." (Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, 1988). We offer the possibility not only of exploring the mystery which God is, but also demonstrating and living the Gospel values. The School strives to be consistent throughout and in every aspect reflect the Christian faith, which is its inspiration and its justification. Religious Education comes into every aspect of School life, particularly into the need for a secure and caring environment which will encourage a positive attitude to life; foster satisfactory relationships with others and facilitate attitudes which characterise the School.
We recognise that our children come from a range of backgrounds and abilities and that our teaching of Religious Education will reflect this. If our children are to grow up as practising Catholics, there must be a commitment to faith, through which by example and instruction, they will come to know of God's love and compassion for everyone and work towards living by his teachings. The Religious Education Programme will be celebrated by a variety of Masses, Liturgies, Assemblies and Prayer opportunities so that religion can be experienced as a meaningful part of the children's lives.
Our Curriculum Vision:
Our curriculum promotes the dignity and freedom of every person as created in the image and likeness of God and to develop, nurture and deepen each child's faith journey. Through the curriculum teaching and Catholic life, we aim to actively implement our school's mission statement, fulfil the aims of our school and live the gospel of our Blessed Lord. The outcome aims of our Religious Education Curriculum is religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who are aware of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.
Aims and Objectives:
Curriculum religious education in our school aims to:
- develop knowledge and understanding of the mystery of God and Jesus Christ, of the church, and of the central beliefs which Catholics hold;
- develop awareness and appreciation of Catholic belief, understanding of its impact on personal and social behaviour and of the vital relationship between faith and life, life and faith;
- encourage study, investigation and reflection by the pupils;
- develop appropriate skills: for example, ability to listen; to think critically, spiritually, ethically and theologically; to acquire knowledge and organise it effectively; to make informed judgements;
- foster appropriate attitudes: for example, respect for truth; respect for the views of others; awareness of the spiritual, of the moral responsibility, of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life and especially the challenge of living in a multicultural, multi-faith society.
Current Programme of Study