What is our curriculum intent?
We aim for:
• The RE curriculum to play a central role in the school’s work on spiritual, moral, vocational, social and cultural education.
• An outstanding level of religious understanding and knowledge.
• A thorough engagement with a range of ultimate questions about the meaning and significance of existence.
• The ability to ask significant and highly reflective questions about religion and demonstrate an excellent understanding of issues related to the nature, truth and value of religion.
• A strong understanding of how the beliefs, values, practices and ways of life within any religion cohere together.
• Exceptional independence; the ability to think for themselves and take the initiative in, for example, asking questions, carrying out investigations, evaluating ideas and working constructively with others.
• Significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity, which are shown in their responses to their learning in RE.
• The ability to link the study of religion and belief to personal reflections on meaning and purpose.
• A wide knowledge and deep understanding across a wide range of religions and beliefs.
• A close and co-operative relationship between home, parish and school.
Implementation: How do we aim to achieve it?
In our school, the curriculum hours in RE are non-negotiable. At least 10% of curriculum time is dedicated to the taught subject of RE. Consideration is given to the times in which RE is taught and this is reviewed by the Senior Leadership Team. The RE lead supports staff in high quality planning and delivery of RE lesson through using the Diocesan unit planning based on the God Matters scheme. The RE leader monitors planning and work within RE, meets with the Headteacher to evaluate the provision of teaching and learning, and then gives feedback to staff to support them in developing their practice.
Children will be highly engaged in RE lessons through the use of a variety of sources such as religious stories, scripture, religious artwork, songs, music, dance and religious signs and symbols. The life and work of key figures in the History of the people of God will be studied for example, lives of the saints. 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.
Where necessary, staff will receive coaching and training in RE. 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. High quality teaching responds to the needs of the children. Pupils will participate in Mass, feast days, Holy days collective worship which will involve religious actions and worship including the celebration of the sacraments. The use of visits and visitors in school will enhance the RE curriculum.
Each term, assessment is completed in one unit in RE and pupil achievement is recorded on SIMs in AT1, AT2 (KS1) and AT1, AT2 and AT3 (KS2). For the assessed topic, pupils are tracked to record their attainment against the learning objectives from that unit. Book looks take place regularly and feedback is given to teaching staff on strengths and areas for development. Pupils interviews and moderation take place every year, as per the monitoring calendar. All monitoring evidence is then used to plan the next term’s focus for the improvement of RE teaching.
What will the impact be?
Children are happy learners within RE. They experience a wide-ranging number of learning challenges in RE and know appropriate responses to them.
Through RE, children deepen their appreciation of their faith and fulfil their God-given talents
Visits within RE have enriched the lives of the children and they are able to discuss how the experience impacted their knowledge and understanding.
Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in RE, reflected in outstanding progress that reveals a clear learning journey. Children talk enthusiastically about their learning in RE 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.
Clear outcomes focus and guide all RE development plans and drive improvement.
Fundamental British Values are evident in RE and children understand how RE can celebrate difference.
Children will understand the Catholic virtues which will be focussed on each half term and how these relate to their personal life.
The children will grow to know and love God, develop their moral and spiritual nature and deepen their faith.
Children will live their faith in an active and positive way, always aware of the presence and love of Christ guiding them.
Children will develop their relationship with God and become religiously literate.
Through religious practice, the church’s traditions of prayer and worship will be upheld.
Faith plays a central role in the lives of the children and the decisions they make.
Children are confident, resilient and actively engaged in the wider society.
The school environment will reflect and celebrate our Catholic faith.
Children will be able to define, describe and discuss areas of RE. They will confidently use skills such as retelling, describing, comparing, giving reasons, explaining the meaning of biblical stories and considering the impact of beliefs.
Children will be able to reflect and consider important questions about RE.
Through wider reading in RE, children will know about a wide variety of Saints, how we can learn from their example, and historical religious events and figures. They will be 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.
