Religious Education

Intent

At The Willows Catholic Primary School, Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and reflects our mission: “With Christ at our heart…”

Our Religious Education curriculum aims to develop pupils' knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, Scripture and the teachings and traditions of the Church. We want pupils to encounter the person of Jesus Christ, understand the story of salvation and recognise how faith influences the way Christians live.

We follow the Religious Education Directory of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Through its carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils build their knowledge and understanding as they move from Reception to Year 6.

Pupils learn through the six branches of the Religious Education Directory: Creation and Covenant, Prophecy and Promise, Galilee to Jerusalem, Desert to Garden, To the Ends of the Earth and Dialogue and Encounter. Important ideas, Scripture, beliefs and practices are revisited and developed with increasing depth as pupils progress through school.

We want pupils to develop strong religious literacy. They learn appropriate theological vocabulary, become familiar with Scripture and develop the ability to explain Catholic beliefs and practices with increasing accuracy.

Religious Education also provides opportunities for pupils to think deeply about what they learn. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, consider different viewpoints, make connections between faith and life and reflect upon how what they have learned might influence their own choices and responses.

Our curriculum also develops pupils' knowledge and understanding of other religions and worldviews. This helps pupils to recognise the dignity of every person, engage respectfully with those whose beliefs differ from their own and understand the diverse world in which they live.

Implementation

Religious Education is taught through the Religious Education Directory and is carefully planned to ensure clear progression in knowledge, understanding and religious literacy from Reception to Year 6.

Each branch builds upon previous learning. Teachers identify the important Scripture, Catholic beliefs, vocabulary and theological concepts that pupils need to know and make explicit links with prior learning.

Scripture is central to Religious Education. Pupils encounter a range of biblical texts and are taught to understand them within the wider story of salvation. As pupils progress through school, they develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the meaning and significance of Scripture within Catholic belief.

Teaching includes clear explanation, discussion, questioning, the study of Scripture, appropriate use of religious art and opportunities for pupils to reflect upon and apply what they have learned.

Learning is structured through the interconnected processes of Understand, Discern and Respond. Pupils develop knowledge and understanding of religious content, consider its meaning and significance and reflect upon how religious beliefs can shape individual and communal life.

Teachers explicitly teach theological and religious vocabulary. Pupils are expected to use this vocabulary accurately when speaking and writing about their learning.

Within Dialogue and Encounter, pupils develop knowledge of other Christian traditions, other religions and different worldviews. Teaching is rooted in the Catholic understanding of dialogue and encourages pupils to engage with others respectfully and knowledgeably.

Assessment is closely linked to the expected outcomes of the Religious Education Directory. Teachers use questioning, discussion, pupils' written work and other evidence from lessons to establish what pupils know and understand and to identify misconceptions or gaps that need further teaching.

Teaching is adapted where necessary so that all pupils, including those with SEND, can access the important theological knowledge and ideas within the curriculum while maintaining ambitious expectations for all.

Impact

The impact of our Religious Education curriculum is seen in the depth and accuracy of pupils' knowledge and understanding.

As pupils progress through school, they should develop an increasingly secure understanding of Scripture, Catholic beliefs, the life and teachings of Jesus, the Sacraments, the Church and the relationship between faith and life.

Pupils should be able to make connections between different areas of their learning and explain religious ideas using increasingly precise theological vocabulary.

They should be able to engage thoughtfully with Scripture, explain its significance and recognise connections between biblical texts and Catholic belief and practice.

Pupils should also become increasingly confident in considering religious questions. They should be able to discuss ideas, support their responses with what they have learned, listen respectfully to different views and reflect thoughtfully upon the implications of religious belief.

Through their study of other religions and worldviews, pupils should develop accurate knowledge alongside respect for people with different beliefs and traditions.

Teachers and subject leaders evaluate pupils' learning through their discussions, written work and assessment information. The Religious Education subject leader monitors the quality and impact of the curriculum through lesson visits, pupil discussions, scrutiny of work and assessment information. This is used to identify strengths, address gaps and continually improve curriculum provision.

By the end of Year 6, our aim is for pupils to leave The Willows with secure religious knowledge, strong religious literacy and the ability to think deeply about faith. They should be well prepared for the next stage of their religious education and understand how the Catholic faith calls people to live with love, dignity, service and hope.

• RE Curriculum Map download_for_offline
  download_for_offlineRE Curriculum Map