Religious Education

Religious Education at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Religious Education (RE) is at the heart of our curriculum, guiding pupils in their faith journey and deepening their understanding of Catholic beliefs and traditions. Rooted in the teachings of Christ and inspired by Gospel values, our RE curriculum nurtures pupils' spiritual, moral, and social development, helping them grow in faith, wisdom, and love. As part of the Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy Trust, we aim to inspire pupils to live out their faith through prayer, worship, and acts of service within the school, parish, and wider community.

Our curriculum follows the Birmingham Diocese’s Curriculum Strategy for Religious Education, ensuring that pupils develop theological knowledge, a deep understanding of Catholic doctrine, and the ability to reflect on their faith in relation to their daily lives.

Intent

At St Mary’s, our RE curriculum is designed to foster a deep love for God and a commitment to living a faith-filled life. We provide pupils with a secure foundation in Catholic teaching, Scripture, and traditions while encouraging them to explore their personal faith journey. Through thought-provoking discussions, prayer, and reflection, pupils develop a moral compass that guides them in making ethical and compassionate choices.

Our approach enables children to:

Develop a knowledge and understanding of Catholic beliefs, traditions, and teachings, including the Sacraments, the Bible, and key figures in the Church.

Foster spiritual growth through prayer, liturgy, and reflection.

Engage with other world faiths in a respectful and informed way, promoting tolerance and understanding.

Develop skills in critical thinking and ethical decision-making, applying Gospel values to real-life situations.

Deepen their connection to the local parish and wider Catholic community, living out their faith in action.

Implementation

Our RE curriculum is taught progressively across all year groups, ensuring pupils build on their knowledge and spiritual understanding year after year. We follow the Birmingham Diocese RE curriculum, which provides a structured and engaging approach to learning about the Catholic faith.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS): Pupils begin their faith journey by exploring the love of God through simple prayers, Bible stories, and learning about Jesus and His teachings.

Key Stage 1 & 2: Pupils deepen their understanding of the Sacraments, key figures in the Bible, Catholic social teaching, and the liturgical year. Lessons incorporate Scripture, prayer, discussion, and creative activities to make learning meaningful and reflective.

Our RE curriculum is enriched through:

Collective Worship: Daily prayer, weekly liturgies, and participation in Mass.

Sacramental Preparation: Working alongside our parish to support pupils receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.

Faith in Action: Pupils actively live out their faith through charity work, social justice projects, and community service.

Visits and Retreats: Opportunities to visit places of worship, pilgrimage sites, and diocesan events to deepen spiritual experiences.

What a Typical RE Lesson Looks Like

Rewind: Pupils recall prior learning to reinforce knowledge and make connections with new concepts.

Teach it: Introduction of a new religious theme, Bible story, or Catholic teaching using Scripture, discussion, and reflection.

Practise it: Pupils engage in activities such as role-play, storytelling, artwork, journaling, or group discussions to explore and apply their learning.

Assessment: Pupils’ understanding is evaluated through questioning, reflection, and informal or formal assessments, ensuring they can articulate their learning and faith journey.

Impact

Through our RE curriculum, pupils develop a strong sense of faith, moral responsibility, and commitment to Gospel values. They leave St Mary’s with:

A deep understanding of Catholic teachings and traditions.

The ability to reflect on their faith and apply it to daily life.

Respect for other faiths and a commitment to social justice.

The confidence to participate in prayer, worship, and parish life.

A spiritual foundation that will continue to guide them as they grow.

Please find below our yearly plan for RE, outlining the units that will be delivered in each year group.

Our subject development plan outlines our goals and priorities for RE teaching for the 2024-25 academic year, ensuring a rich and faith-filled curriculum for all pupils.