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    • RE Curriculum

    Curriculum Intent

    Why do we teach Religious Education? Why do we teach it the way we do?

    At St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Religious Education (RE) is at the heart of everything we do. As a Catholic school, our faith permeates every aspect of school life and the wider curriculum. We are committed to providing the highest quality Catholic education, enabling every child to grow spiritually, morally, academically and socially.

    Our school community is underpinned by Gospel values, and we strive to celebrate the uniqueness of every child, recognising and nurturing their God-given talents. Through our mission and daily lived experiences, we encourage all members of our community to STRIVE to be the best we can be for the Glory of God.

    Religious Education is much more than a curriculum subject. Through prayer, worship, relationships and daily school life, we support children in developing a deeper relationship with God and with one another. Religious education and spiritual development are woven throughout the entire curriculum, making our Catholic ethos both explicit and implicit in all that we do.

    We are proud of our strong partnership with Shrewsbury Cathedral Catholic Primary School, our parish community and Fr Ravi, all of whom support the faith journey of our children and families.

    The Aims of Religious Education

    At St. Patrick's, Religious Education aims to:

    • Provide pupils with a secure knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.
    • Enable pupils to deepen their religious and theological understanding and communicate this effectively.
    • Present the Church's moral and social teachings, allowing pupils to understand and reflect upon contemporary issues.
    • Develop respect and understanding for people of other faiths and cultures.
    • Encourage pupils to relate their faith to everyday life.
    • Inspire children to seek personal meaning through the truths of the Catholic faith.
    • Help pupils make meaningful connections between Religious Education and other curriculum subjects.
    • Develop an understanding of the relationship between faith, life and culture.
    • Encourage children to become active disciples of Christ who live out Gospel values in their daily lives.

    Catholic Social Teaching

    Catholic Social Teaching is woven throughout our curriculum and forms an important part of our children's spiritual and moral development.

    Each year group explores a particular strand of Catholic Social Teaching, helping pupils understand how Gospel values can be lived out through action. Themes such as:

    • Human Dignity
    • The Common Good
    • Solidarity and Peace
    • Care for Creation
    • Participation
    • Preferential Option for the Poor
    • Rights and Responsibilities

    are explored through Religious Education, collective worship, charity work, social action projects and wider curriculum learning. Through this, children develop a strong sense of justice, compassion and responsibility towards others both locally and globally.

    Implementation: Planning, Teaching and Learning

    What do we teach? What does this look like?

    Our Religious Education curriculum is shaped by our school vision and mission and reflects our commitment to providing an outstanding Catholic education.

    A minimum of 10% of curriculum time is dedicated to Religious Education across all key stages.

    We follow The Vine and The Branch programme which fulfils the requirements of the Religious Education Curriculum Directory set by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. This programme provides a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum that develops children's understanding of Catholic doctrine, scripture and tradition.

    Learning is enriched through:

    • Drama
    • Art
    • Music
    • History
    • Geography
    • ICT
    • Creative prayer and worship opportunities

    We recognise that parents are the first educators of their children in faith and work in partnership with families to support each child's spiritual journey.

    Living Our Faith

    In school, we nurture faith in three key ways:

    Creating a Catholic Environment

    We foster a caring and inclusive environment where every person is valued, respected and loved. Staff model Christian values through their words, actions and relationships.

    Prayer, Worship and Liturgy

    Working closely with Fr Ravi and our parish community, we provide meaningful opportunities for prayer and worship throughout the year, including:

    • School Masses
    • Class liturgies
    • Celebration of the Word
    • Prayer services
    • Assemblies linked to the liturgical year
    • Feast day celebrations

    Delivering a Planned Religious Education Programme

    Children explore questions of faith, purpose, dignity and meaning through the Catholic tradition, while also developing an understanding of other world faiths and cultures.

    We proudly proclaim our Catholic faith and warmly welcome families of all faiths and backgrounds into our school community.

    Curriculum Overview: The Vine and The Branch

    The curriculum is organised into six key branches which are studied across each year group:

    1. Creation and Covenant
    2. Prophecy and Promise
    3. Galilee to Jerusalem
    4. Desert to Garden
    5. Ends of the Earth
    6. Dialogue and Encounter

    Within each branch, children develop their understanding through four key Knowledge Lenses:

    • Hear
    • Believe
    • Celebrate
    • Live

    Learning is further developed through three Ways of Knowing:

    • Understand
    • Discern
    • Respond

    These approaches help children engage deeply with scripture, Catholic teaching and their own faith journey.

    Impact: Assessment and Outcomes

    What will this look like?

    By the time children leave St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School, they will:

    • Live out Gospel values including love, peace, courage, honesty, forgiveness and justice.
    • Have a deep appreciation and understanding of their Catholic faith.
    • Recognise and develop their God-given talents.
    • Show respect for themselves and for others.
    • Be confident, enthusiastic and independent learners.
    • Produce high-quality work that they are proud of.
    • Achieve well and make strong progress in Religious Education.
    • Develop a meaningful and lasting relationship with God.
    • Understand their place within the family of God and the global Catholic community.
    • Be compassionate, responsible and active citizens who seek to make a positive difference in the world.
    • Be ambassadors for Christ, confidently sharing Gospel values through their actions and relationships.

    As children move on to the next stage of their education, we hope they continue to demonstrate:

    • A commitment to their own spiritual development.
    • Trustworthiness and integrity when working with others.
    • Resilience and perseverance when faced with challenges.
    • An inquisitive and reflective approach to learning and faith.
    • The ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
    • A strong sense of achievement and aspiration.
    • A lifelong commitment to serving others through faith, compassion and justice.

    Through Religious Education, prayer and Catholic Social Teaching, we aim to inspire every child to grow in faith, flourish in life and make a positive contribution to God's world.

     

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