Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing
-Mother Teresa
Religious Education (RE) is a core subject at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School. We are dedicated to provide an education which enables every child to reach their true potential and shine in God’s image and likeness. It seeks to promote academic, emotional and spiritual growth in a Catholic environment, welcoming all children in an inclusive way that develops children as individuals nurturing each child to be unique. The schools values are at the heart of everything and permeate throughout our RE curriculum; inspiring everyone to REACH through Faith, Hope and love, whilst encouraging each child to love, learn and succeed by following in the footsteps of Jesus.
High expectations ensures RE is taught with the same rigour, enthusiasm and academic study as any other core curriculum subject. Teaching RE at St. Joseph’s dynamically contributes to children’s education by provoking challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, whilst allowing them to fully understand the implications of thinking there can only be a right or wrong response. Furthermore, we provide a Catholic curriculum which is broad and balanced; one which recognises that everyone is unique and is created in the image of God.
As a result of a broad and balanced curriculum, children are exposed to the key principles of Catholic Social Teaching and the virtues they aspire to live their live with.
Teachers are provided with the latest training termly to support in their knowledge and teaching of RE from both RE Advisor (Clifton Dioceses) and the RE Subject lead.
Policies
You can find relevant policies for RE, RSE, Collective Worship, and Prayer by clicking here.
God Matters
The programme of study we follow is God Matters.
The Religious Education curriculum at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary is based on the Strategy ‘God Matters’ and staff refer to the R.E. Curriculum Directory as well as the diocesan planning guidance. God Matters is designed to ensure clear progression is seen across the primary ages- from Reception to Year 6. The God Matters scheme of work comprises of 10 units. These 10 units are taught annually in ever year group but the focus and content is different this ensuring continuity and- as previous stated- progression. It is supported by a clear approach to teaching and learning. This clear approach is characterised by the 3 E’s: Engage, Explore, Express. It is structured in a way which allows for deep learning and real engagement with the RE Content.
The Religious Education curriculum at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary is based on the Strategy ‘God Matters’ and staff refer to the R.E. Curriculum Directory as well as the diocesan planning guidance. God Matters is designed to ensure clear progression is seen across the primary ages- from Reception to Year 6. The God Matters scheme of work comprises of 10 units. These 10 units are taught annually in ever year group but the focus and content is different this ensuring continuity and- as previous stated- progression. It is supported by a clear approach to teaching and learning. This clear approach is characterised by the 3 E’s: Engage, Explore, Express. It is structured in a way which allows for deep learning and real engagement with the RE Content.
See link below to understand the programme of study further:
The units covered are as follows:
1. Creation
2. Prayers, Saints and Feasts
3. Advent
4. Christmas
5. Revelation
6. Lent
7. Holy Week
8. Easter
9. Pentecost and Mission
10. Sacraments (this unit is sometimes taught earlier in the year)
Introduction of Knowledge Organisers
Alongside God Matters(programme of study), children also have a knowledge organiser for each unit that outlines the key people (who they will cover) and key vocabulary to support them with their understanding to ensure they can recall key terms by the end of their unit. Children are also persuaded to refer back to these during their learning to help them to apply newly taught vocabulary.
Awe and Wonder Weeks
Over the course of the year children are immersed in other faiths where they can learn about: Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam. Not only does this provide children with the opportunity to understand different religious groups, it also weaves in the similarities and differences between these faiths and that of the Catholic faith.
Academic Year 2023-2024:
Autumn Term 2023: Hinduism
Spring Term 2024: Judaism
Summer Term 2024: Islam