The Religious Education Programme

To fulfil our aims and objectives in Religious Education, St. Mary’s Blackbrook currently follows both the

‘To Know You More Clearly’ programme (EYFS – Y3) from the new Religious Education Directory and the Come and See programme (Y4 – Y6), as recommended by the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

The Aims and Objectives of Religious Education at St. Mary’s Blackbrook

‘The outcome of excellent religious education is religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who are aware of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.’
(Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools 2023)

The aim of Religious Education at St. Mary’s Blackbrook Catholic Primary School are:

 To engage in a systematic study of the mystery of God, of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Church, the central beliefs that Catholics hold, the basis for them and the relationship between faith and life.

To enable pupils continually to deepen their religious and theological understanding and be able to communicate this effectively.

 To present an authentic vision of the Church’s moral and social teaching to provide pupils with a sure guide for living and the tools to critically engage with contemporary culture and society.

 To give pupils an understanding of the religions and worldviews present in the world today and the skills to engage in respectful and fruitful dialogue with those whose worldviews differ from their own.

 To develop the critical faculties of pupils so to bring clarity to the relationship between faith and life, and between faith and culture.

 To stimulate pupils’ imagination and provoke a desire for personal meaning as revealed in the truth of the Catholic faith.

To enable pupils to relate the knowledge gained through religious education to their understanding of other subjects in the curriculum.

(Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools 2023)

 Objectives

We strive to fulfil these aims via these practical objectives:

Religious Education is at the heart of St Mary’s broad and balanced curriculum and informs every aspect of it. It is timetabled for at least 10% of teaching time and has the same systematic demands and rigours as other subjects.

Providing stimulating, creative RE lessons that are based on scripture and Church teaching where pupils of all abilities can take part and reach their academic potential.

Providing a school community that demonstrates and models behaviour and attitudes towards each other that encourage mutual respect. Emphasising the importance of the life and teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church and what this means for pupils’ own lives through RE lessons and daily reflective prayer and liturgy.

Promoting positive attitudes and interaction between staff and pupils through feedback, achievement assemblies, recognition point, core value certificates etc. Using a therapeutic approach when pupils need support with managing their emotions and behaviour.

Maintaining the school ethos and environment that provides equal opportunities for all. Tolerance and appreciation of diversity are embedded through the teaching and of awareness and respect of other faiths, practical involvement in charity issues, promoting inclusion etc.

Continuing to develop the partnership between families, staff, governors and the parish community through the ‘With You Always’ parish sacramental programme, school masses, Stay and Prays, celebration assemblies, open door policy, questionnaires, parent meetings etc

Developing a sense of belonging to the wider community and active involvement in community life. Catholic Social Teaching to be woven throughout the curriculum and school year, including Faith in Action group, CAFOD Live Simply group, links with local, national and international charities.

Nurturing pupils to have a respect for themselves and others, self-discipline, self-regulation, tolerance and compassion, through modelling of relationships from staff and a high-quality Personal Development curriculum.

Continuing to develop a broad and balanced curriculum catering for the spiritual, moral, social, academic and physical development of each child. Using a range of multisensory approaches to teaching, differentiation, cross curricular links, visits, outside visitors and extra curricula clubs and activities.

Termly assessment of RE against the skills, using the ways of knowing and level indicators for each topic.

Providing opportunities for reflection on learning and experiences through prayer and liturgy.

Celebrating the main Christian feasts, holy days and saints’ days with prayer and liturgy.

Providing the opportunities for children to celebrate and reflect on their learning through the use of reflective journals which incorporate our Thinking Schools approach.