Religious Education
Curriculum Overview and Policy
Download: RE Curriculum Overview 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: Progression in RE 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: RE – Vocabulary Checklist [PDF]
Download: Catholic Life, Wellbeing, PSHE, RSHE Overview 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: RE Collective Worship Themes Booklet [PDF]
External Link: Click here to see the latest Ten Ten Parent Newsletter
Download: Parent Letter 2024 [PDF]
Download: Letter to Parents Spring 2024 [PDF]
Download: Parents Letter – Autumn 2023 [PDF]
Download: RE Policy 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: RSHE Policy 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: Prayer and Liturgy Policy 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: RSHE – Curriculum Overview 2023-2024 (Inc Journey in Love) [PDF]
Download: RSE – Guide – Learning to Love [PDF]
Download: Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development Policy 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: SMSC Curriculum Map 2023-2024 [PDF]
The new Religious Education Directory (RED) is being phased into school during this academic year and the next. This will replace the Come and See programme that is taught currently.
The new directory is entitled ‘To know You more clearly’
This Directory aims to articulate the nature and purpose of religious education in the Catholic schools of England and Wales. It has two parts. The first section of part 1, with assistance from the latest Instruction from the Congregation for Catholic Education, outlines the current context of Catholic schools, alongside their nature and purpose and that of the religious education which is delivered as part of the curriculum. The second section of part 1 sets out the norms that follow from this outline, fulfilling the canonical duty the Bishops’ Conference has for setting out the general norms for religious education in Catholic schools.1 These build upon existing practice in dioceses and the norms already established by the Bishops’ Conference in 1996, 2000, and 2012. Part 2 presents a programme of study, including a model curriculum that seeks to present the teaching of religious education in a sequential and progressive form. This part has been developed after widespread consultation and is intended to be revised periodically by the Department for Education and Formation to reflect the best professional practice and evolving nature of the whole Catholic curriculum. It contains a further reflection on the nature and purpose of religious education in Catholic schools as found in the teaching documents of the Church, and the implications this has for religious education and for the religious educator.
Religious Education Curriculum Drivers
Language – At St Oswald’s we want children to have a deep understanding of religious vocabulary through exposure to scripture in mass, prayer and liturgy and RE lessons. The importance of religious vocabulary is embedded throughout each topic of the RE curriculum. (Faith in Our Voice)
Diversity and Inclusion – The RE curriculum supports acceptance and understanding of different religions and beliefs through our learning of other faiths. We encourage Children share experiences and values of their own cultures. (Faith in Others)
Resilience – RE provides a curriculum that challenges children’s thinking. It encourages them to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, overcoming the challenges and hardships of being a modern Christian. (Faith in Ourselves)
Enrichment – Enrichment activities within the RE curriculum offer opportunities for all pupils to develop their cultural capital by providing greater religious understanding and development of spirituality. (Faith in Our Journey)
Intent
At St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School we will:
Enable each child to develop a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith, promote respect for religious and moral values and tolerance of other races and religions and foster the growth of each child’s potential through the development of respect for self and others.
We will promote the individual talents and abilities of pupils to ensure that each child fulfils his or her full potential.
We will promote an understanding and care of the environment in which each child finds him or herself.
We will promote a close and co-operative relationship between home, parish and school.
Our principal aim is that children leave St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School with a wide range of happy and rich memories in RE formed through interesting and exciting experiences driven through an engaging and comprehensive curriculum which is the basis of knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, enabling them to develop a living and personal faith in Jesus Christ and allowing them to know and love God.
RE is the foundation of the entire education process and permeates all areas of the curriculum and school life.
Children will meet the Diocesan Standards for Primary Religious Education, which will be taught by highly qualified staff who will engage children’s intellect, heart and imagination, inspiring enthusiasm and interest in RE.
Children will develop an awareness of God’s presence in their lives and the lives of others, developing the spiritual life of each child through prayer and reflection.
Children will develop a well-formed conscience allowing them to make sound moral judgements in the light of personal commitment to God.
Parents, family members, friends of whatever faith and parishioners will attend Masses and religious celebrations within the school and pupils will make links with the Parish community.
Children, and their parents, will develop the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Sacraments.
RE will play a central role in the school’s work on spiritual, moral, vocational, social and cultural education.
Children will be prepared for life in a multi faith society by fostering respect for and understanding of rich cultural diversity.
Opportunities will exist for children of all ages to experience learning beyond the classroom. This will allow them to enrich their knowledge.
Implementation
The curriculum hours in RE are non-negotiable and will be followed by all staff in the school These will be monitored by the Senior Leadership Team of the school.
The Subject Leader for RE will meet the Senior Leadership Team on a regular basis to evaluate provision. Where necessary, staff will receive coaching and training in RE.
Carefully designed schemes of learning in RE ensure consistency and progress of all learners. We follow the agreed syllabus from the Archdiocese of Liverpool ‘Come and See.’
Each year group will study a number of units over the year. The units are developmental, building on previous knowledge and experience and taking into account of the children’s age and understanding.
The topics covered by each year group are as detailed on the curriculum overview.
RE is taught individually but plays a central role in all areas of school life.
High quality teaching responds to the needs of children.
Children will be highly engaged in RE lessons through the use of a variety of sources such as religious stories, scripture, religious artwork, songs, music, dance and religious signs and symbols.
The life and work of key figures in the History of the people of God will be studied for example, lives of the saints.
Approaches will include whole class teaching, group activities and individual work.
Children will have opportunities to work individually as well as cooperatively and collaboratively, developing their own knowledge and expertise as well as sharing experiences with others.
High quality input from experts and educational resources complement the delivery of specialist learning admirably. The idea of vocation will be developed in all year groups.
Pupils will participate in Mass, feast days, Holy days collective worship which will involve religious actions and worship including the celebration of the sacraments.
The use of visits and visitors in school will enhance the RE curriculum.
Impact
Children are happy learners within RE. They experience a wide-ranging number of learning challenges in RE and know appropriate responses to them.
Through RE, children deepen their appreciation of their faith and fulfil their God-given talents.
Visits within RE have enriched the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience impacted their knowledge and understanding.
Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in RE and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education.
Clear outcomes focus and guide all RE development plans and drive improvement.
Fundamental British Values are evident in RE and children understand how RE can celebrate difference.
Children will understand the Catholic virtue and how these relate to their personal life and to British Values.
The children will grow to know and love God, develop their moral and spiritual nature and deepen their faith.
Children will live their faith in an active and positive way, always aware of the presence and love of Christ guiding them.
Children will develop their relationship with God and become religiously literate.
Through religious practice, the church’s traditions of prayer and worship will be upheld.
Faith plays a central role in the lives of the children and the decisions they make.
Children are confident, resilient and actively engaged in the wider society.
The school environment will reflect and celebrate our Catholic faith.
Children will be able to define, describe and discuss areas of RE. They will confidently use skills such as retelling, describing, comparing, giving reasons, explaining the meaning of biblical stories and considering the impact of beliefs.
Children will be able to reflect and consider important questions about RE.
Through wider reading in RE, children will know about a wide variety of Saints, how we can learn from their example, and historical religious events and figures. They will be able to make links between Jesus’ life and teaching and link it to their own lives, making links between different forms of Christian action, such as in rituals and charitable acts.
School vision for the teaching of Religious Education
What is Religious Education?
Religious Education is about engaging with the deepest questions of life and finding reasons for the hope which is within them (Peter 3:15).
It is about the Christian vision of the human person
It is the core subject which is central to the life of Our Catholic School
Religious Education is the study of:
- The mystery of God, as discovered in the Bible and particularly through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
- The teachings of the Church
- The lives of the Saints
- The relationship between faith and life
Expectations of the teaching and learning of Religious Education
Classroom Religious Education in school is primarily educational
Excellence in Religious Education is achieved by:
- Clarity of succinct religious learning objectives
- Key content
- By appropriate methodologies
- Rigour
- Richness of resources
- Achievement and accurate assessments
Come and See is a Catholic Primary Religious Education programme for Foundation and Key stages 1 and 2. The programme of study, written by a group of experienced diocesan advisors was introduced across St. Oswald’s in September 2012 and has been warmly received by staff and pupils. The child friendly material provided within Come and See allows children to explore the teachings of the Catholic church through the use of age appropriate resources and activities.
Each year group from Foundation 1 to year 6 have their own list of focus topics to consider throughout the academic year. The topic will coincide with the church calendar however, the depth in which the topic is explored is dependent upon the respective age of the child. For example, during Lent, whilst all children will learn about the plight of Christ, our Early Years children will consider the importance of growing and new life; Key Stage 1 children explore the effect of change and opportunities, with Key Stage 2 children considering the importance of self-discipline, sacrifice, death and new life.
At the heart of the programme is the mystery of God’s self-revelation of love through Jesus Christ. Come and See gives pupils the opportunity to explore the mystery of faith through Scripture and Tradition