Religious Education

intent:

At St Mary's, we believe that it is important for all our pupils to learn from and about religion, so that they can understand the world around them. The aim of Religious Education in our school is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour, develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

Implementation:

At St. Mary's we follow the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s Curriculum Strategy for Religious Education in Catholic Schools called “Learning and Growing as people of God”. The strategy clearly lays out the steps to be taken in RE at each stage of the Primary Years. We then adapt this in order to make our lessons enjoyable and challenging for our children.

As part of the strategy the children learn about what it is to live as Christians today, how the Church is organised from global to parish level and also the opportunities which exist for them to participate in the life of the Church. Throughout the year the children also learn about the Liturgical Seasons and have opportunities to link learning to prayer and reflection.

There is a strong Sacramental focus in each year group. In Year 3 children are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion and in Year 5 and 6 pupils continue on their journey of faith by preparing for Confirmation. 

Our parish priest, Father Damian, regularly visits our school. He leads a number of Celebration Masses throughout the year and works closely with the children, guiding their journey of faith and being on hand to help them wherever he can. 

Impact:

The Christian values of our school permeate the whole curriculum.  

We assess the children using the national and diocesan assessment once a year. Children have the opportunity at the start of each unit to share what they would like to learn and then assess what they feel they have learnt at the end.

As a Catholic School, the spiritual development and the formation of faith is at  the heart of everything that we do.