Religious Education

Religious Education at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School

Intent

At St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Religious Education is a part of the core curriculum and is the heart and soul of our school. We recognise that every child is unique and special, created in the image and likeness of God. Through our RE Curriculum, we aim to inspire awe, wonder, reverence and spirituality within every child.

St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School provides an education that realises the full potential of each child in accordance with Gospel Values and the teaching of our faith. The objectives of teaching Religious Education in St Paul’s Catholic Primary School are to help children:

  • develop an awareness of spirituality in themselves as well as spiritual and moral issues arising in their lives
  • develop an understanding of religious experience through the teachings of the Catholic faith
  • develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other major world faiths
  • be able to reflect on their own experiences in relation to the teaching of our faith and to develop a personal response to the fundamental questions of life
  • develop an understanding of religious traditions and to appreciate the cultural differences in Britain today
  • develop investigative and research skills, and make reasoned judgements about religious issues
  • have respect for other people’s views, and celebrate the diversity in society

Skills taught will cover reflection, empathy, investigation, interpretation, evaluation, analysis, synthesis and expression.

 

Implementation

We plan our Religious Education curriculum in accordance with the Religious Education Curriculum Directory (2012) as set by the Bishops of England and Wales.  In order to incorporate Attainment Target 3, the school is using the adapted ‘God Matters’ materials from the Clifton Diocese.  Children in Years 2, 5 and 6 follow the adapted Clifton Diocese RE ‘God Matters’ scheme of work.  In EYFS, Year 1, Year 3 and Year 4, children follow The Religious Education Directory (2023), in which children focus on a different area of learning each term.  As RE is a core subject, RE teaching makes up 10% of the curriculum time.

Catholic Social Teaching is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world.  Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.  At St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, children focus on one principle of Catholic Social Teaching per term and one RE lesson is dedicated to this.

Our Religious Education curriculum allows provision for teaching other worldviews, opening up for our children the opportunity to explore and understand them. At St Paul’s Catholic Primary School we have allocated curriculum time for the study of other worldviews.  We organise visits to places of worship and welcome visitors from other worldviews to our school.  Through events such as “One World Week”, we show that other worldviews are valued and respected by all. 

In RE, children following the Religious Education Curriculum Directory (2012) are assessed after each unit through teacher assessment.  These assessments focus on Attainment Target 1 (Learning about religion), Attainment Target 2 (Learning from religion) and Attainment Target 3 (Analysis and evaluation) Children in EYFS children are assessed by using the Religious Education Learning Goals.  In Year 1, Year 3 and Year 4 children are assessed in accordance with the End of Year statements contained within The Religious Education Directory. (2023)

 

Impact

Faith plays a central role in the lives of our children and the decisions they make.
Through Religious Education, children deepen their understanding of their faith and fulfil their God-given talents.
Children are happy learners within Religious Education lessons and enjoy them.
Children are able to talk enthusiastically about their learning in Religious Education.
Children confidently use religious vocabulary in lessons.
Children reflect and consider important questions about Religious Education.
Children are able to define, describe and discuss areas of Religious Education. They confidently use skills such as retelling, describing, comparing, giving reasons, explaining the meaning of Biblical stories and considering the impact of beliefs.
Fundamental British Values are evident in Religious Education and children understand how Religious Education can celebrate difference.
Children will gain knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, know how people of other worldviews practice their faith, and treat people equally, regardless of background or beliefs.
Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in Religious Education, reflected in good progress that reveals a clear learning journey.