Religious Education

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

As a Catholic school, the principles of Catholic education remain at our core. This includes the pursuit of excellence and preparing our children as world citizens of the 21st Century. Religious Education (R.E.) is at the heart of Sacred Heart School, alongside Collective Worship and Catholic Life and Mission, driving faith across the school. We recognise R.E. as a core subject, and we follow a Diocesan-wide curriculum which includes the scheme of work ‘Come and See’. Our R.E. curriculum focuses on both providing the children with knowledge of the Catholic Faith and also leading them to an understanding of the significance of religion in their lives. Children are encouraged to give a variety of responses to what they have learned and to measure their own development by reflecting on their relationships with others and with God.

We supplement ‘Come and See’ through school events that reflect the events of the liturgical calendar, global events and the life of the Catholic Church. Our curriculum is intended and designed to teach our pupils about current issues relating to Catholic Social Teaching and Social Justice (e.g. about helping those in need, environmental issues, refugees and the Black Lives Matter Movement). Children are challenged to relate Gospel stories (such as the Parable of the Good Samaritan) and Papal Encyclicals (such as Fratelli Tutti and Laudato Si) to modern events and consider how they can live out their beliefs. We seek to inspire our pupils to take what they have learnt and to go forth and be change in their community and the world. Assemblies are another important part of the religious life of our community, which support children’s Religious Education. At assembly we pray together, sing hymns together and reflect on aspects of our Faith within the context of our own experiences. We also regularly celebrate Mass together as a community on certain feast days throughout the year, often joining the wider parish at Sacred Heart Church.

As well as covering the delivery of Catholic Education, ‘Come and See’ also contains the resources and units required for us to regularly teach children about other world religions, in order that they develop an appreciation for faith in a wider sense and are appreciative and respectful of the religious beliefs, practices and observances of others thus enabling them to be responsible and constructive members of the multi-cultural, multi-faith society in which they live.

Although preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are completed outside of school within the Parish community, during Year 3, the R.E. curriculum also supports children in this journey towards fuller participation in the Mass and the life of the Church.

Our Mission Statement is the cornerstone of everything we do at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School and Nursery. We want to enable our children to develop a Love of God, Love of One Another, Love of Our World, and a Love of Learning. Our ethos is lived out through signs of Christ’s teaching in the school; the way we behave and care for each other as one large family and through our service to society. Our culture and aims promote Gospel values and the dignity of the human person; each child is perceived as a precious individual. Our strong expression of a loving community, where everyone is treated with respect, gives our pupils, staff, families and governors a sense of belonging, giving fullness to life.

Intent – What are we trying to achieve?

  • We are a Catholic school and we are committed to the Catholic Faith, recognising and valuing every individual as special and unique, made in the image and likeness of God.

  • Religious Education at Sacred Heart School respects and promotes each child’s innate capacity for wonder, awe, reverence and spirituality.

  • Our Religious Education curriculum leads our children to aspire not to have more, but to be more; children are taught about God’s love; they learn about their Christian responsibilities; children are provided with experiences of Church, Catholic and Christian traditions, as well as being taught to be respectful and understanding of people and traditions from other faith backgrounds.

  • Through Religious Education our children learn about their unique place within the home, school and parish community.

Implementation – How is our vision translated into practice?

  • We follow the ‘Come and See’ scheme of work which is approved by the Diocese of Brentwood. It is fully aligned to Religious Education Curriculum Directory and it ensures consistency and progress of all learners.

  • Each year group will study a number of units over the year. The units are developmental, building on previous knowledge and experience and taking into account of the children’s age and understanding.

  • R.E. is taught discretely but plays a central role in all areas of school life.

  • High quality teaching responds to the needs of children. Teachers actively review work in lessons in order to identify misconceptions early and provide feedback.

  • ‘MUST’, ‘SHOULD’ and ‘COULD’ success criteria in key RE lessons are set in order to guide children to achieve their potential. This ensures work is demanding and matches the aims of the curriculum.

  • Religious Education is an ENRICHING SUBJECT. The teaching of Religious Education is to capture our children’s interests through creativity, which will foster and nurture the love of R.E. Children will enjoy and be highly engaged in R.E. lessons, through the use of a variety of sources such as religious stories, scripture, religious artwork, songs, music, dance and religious signs and symbols.

  • Approaches will include whole class teaching, group activities and individual work. Children will have opportunities to work individually as well as cooperatively and collaboratively, developing their own knowledge and expertise as well as sharing experiences with others.

  • High quality educational resources and input from experts complement the delivery of specialist learning admirably. The RE curriculum will include the use of visits and visitors in school will enhance the RE curriculum.

  • The RE curriculum will include guest speakers who will visit the school, e.g. representatives from charities.

  • The life and work of key figures in the History of the people of God will be studied for example, lives of the saints.

  • Pupils will participate in Mass, Feast Days, Holy Days, and Collective Worship which will involve religious actions and worship including the celebration of the Sacraments.

  • The curriculum hours in R.E. are non-negotiable and will be followed by all staff in the school. This is monitored by the Senior Leadership Team of the school.

  • The Subject Leader for R.E. will evaluate provision in order to ensure that teaching and learning in R.E. is strong. Where necessary, staff will receive coaching and training in R.E.

  • Close links between home, school and parish are established to provide the best for all the children.

  • RE curriculum provision is appropriate to the needs of all our children, from all ethnicities, backgrounds, faiths and home lives.

  • The RE curriculum and school ethos nurtures a sense of belonging by developing our responsibilities as citizens in the local, national and global community, especially within the Catholic tradition and the Liturgy of the Church.

Impact – What is the impact of our curriculum?

  • Through R.E., children deepen their appreciation of their faith and fulfil their God-given talents.

  • Children develop their relationship with God and become religiously literate.

  • Children are happy learners within Religious Education. They experience a wide-ranging number of learning challenges in R.E. and know appropriate responses to them.

  • Children are able to define, describe and discuss areas of R.E. They confidently use skills such as retelling, describing, comparing, giving reasons, explaining the meaning of Biblical stories and considering the impact of beliefs.

  • Children reflect and consider important questions about R.E.

  • Children are able to make links between Jesus’ life and teaching and link it to their own lives, making links between different forms of Christian action, such as in rituals and charitable acts.

  • Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in RE, reflected in good progress that reveals a clear learning journey. Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in R.E. and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education.

  • There is a proven track record of success in assessments that reflects the impact of deep learning.

  • Fundamental British Values are evident in R.E. and children understand how R.E. can celebrate difference.

  • The children grow to know and love God, develop their moral and spiritual nature and deepen their faith.

  • The school environment reflects and celebrates our Catholic faith.

  • Visits within R.E. have enriched the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience impacted their knowledge and understanding.

  • Through religious practice, the church’s traditions of prayer and worship are upheld.

  • Through additional units, children know about a wide variety of Saints, how we can learn from their example, and historical religious events and figures.

  • Children are confident, resilient and actively engaged in the wider society.

  • Children live their faith in an active and positive way, always aware of the presence and love of Christ guiding them.

  • Faith plays a central role in the lives of the children and the decisions they make.

  • Positive links between all stakeholders including the wider community, including positive engagement and work with parents/carers in their role as first educators.

  • Clear outcomes focus and guide all R.E. development plans and drive improvement.


Click here to view our Religious Education Policy