Religious Education

Rationale

“What makes the Catholic school distinctive is its attempt to generate a community climate in the school that is permeated by the Gospel spirit of freedom and love … It tries to relate all of human culture to the good news of salvation so that the light of faith will illumine everything that the students will gradually come to learn about the world, about life and about the human person” (Gravissumum Educationnis Vatican Council 11)

Intent

Religious education enables children to investigate and reflect on some of the most fundamental questions asked by people. At St. Theresa’s, we develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of our Catholic faith and world faiths, and address fundamental questions concerning, for example, the meaning of life and the existence of a divine spirit. Children reflect on what it means to have a faith and to develop their own spiritual knowledge and understanding.

Our intent in the teaching of RE are, for all of our children:

• to develop an awareness of spiritual and moral issues arising in their lives;
• to develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity;
• to develop an understanding of what it means to be committed to a religious tradition;
• to be capable of reflecting on their own experiences, and of developing a personal response to the fundamental questions of life;
• to develop an understanding of religious traditions, and an appreciation of cultural differences in the UK today;
• to develop their investigative and research skills, in order to hold reasoned opinions on religious issues;
• to have respect for other people’s views, and hence to celebrate diversity in

Implementation

Religious Education in a catholic school has two main purposes.

• To ensure children have knowledge of their (Understand)
• To ensure children have the opportunity to reflect on their faith (Discern)
• To enable the children to practise their faith in the wider community (Respond)
• RE is the responsibility of the school, home and parish.

We base our teaching and learning style in RE on the key principle that good teaching in RE allows children both to learn about religious traditions and to reflect on what the religious ideas and concepts mean to them. Our teaching enables children to extend their own sense of values, and promotes their spiritual growth and development. We encourage children to think about their own views and values in relation to the themes and topics studied in the RE curriculum. Our teaching and learning styles in RE enable children to build on their own experiences and to extend their knowledge and understanding of religious traditions. We use their experiences at religious festivals such as Easter, Christmas, etc. to develop their religious thinking.

• A total 10% is allocated to the teaching of Religious This equates to 2 ½ hours a week in Key Stage 2 and 2 ¼ hours in Key Stage 1.
• We follow the objectives in the scheme ‘The Way, The Truth and the Life’ (WTL).
• The scheme involves a one year cycle and covers Foundation Stage all the way through to the end of Key Stage The way the scheme is structured ensures that pupils revisit themes but in a way that is accessible for their age and ability and builds on prior learning as they progress through the school.
• We study one topic per half term
• The ‘WTL’ scheme is set against the liturgical cycle of the year and so it is possible to ensure that the liturgical feasts and seasons are
• Children participate in Masses, assemblies, hymn practice and other liturgical celebrations
• Collective acts of prayer take place every day (either class or whole school)

Children are actively involved in the planning and celebration of Class Prayer Sessions. Throughout key stage 2 children are all encouraged, each term, to plan and lead class prayer sessions within their class/ year group. Within Key Stage 1, children observe adult led sessions and have time to offer their own answers and give their own responses.

Impact

As a result of our Religious Education teaching, our children will

• Achieve consistently well in all areas of Religious Education and make exceptional progress.
• Produce good quality work which they are proud of.
• Are happy, well rounded individuals who have developed a deep-rooted relationship with God and understanding of their Catholic faith.
• Are ambassadors for Christ who are ready to go out into the world and proclaim the values of the Gospel confidently, building the Kingdom of God through compassion, justice, love and forgiveness in their relationship with others.
• Understand that they are part of the family of God and know how they can play their part in this Global family united by Christ.