R.E.

Intent, implementation and impact statement

Intent

It is our aim at St. Mary and St Joseph’s to provide a Religious Education (R.E.) which provides all children with opportunities to learn and achieve whilst developing the spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of their lives.

It is through the teaching of R.E. that we aim to explicitly develop a knowledge and understanding of the teachings of the Catholic faith and practice whilst developing respect for all faiths within our school and the wider community. Our Religious Education provides opportunities to learn about and celebrate the Gospel values and virtues of the Catholic Church, which underpins everything we do.

Implementation of Religious Education

As a Voluntary Aided Catholic primary school, Religious Education (RE) is at the heart of our curriculum and school life. In line with the Bishops' Conference recommendations, we allocate 10% of our curriculum time to RE, ensuring our pupils receive a robust and engaging religious education.

Curriculum and Lesson Time

Our RE lessons are structured to provide approximately 2 hours 15 minutes of dedicated lesson time per week in EYFS and Key Stage 1, and 2 hours 30 minutes per week in Key Stage 2. These timings are divided into two or more lessons, allowing our teachers to deliver the curriculum in a way that best suits the needs and interests of their class.

Promoting Our Catholic Ethos

Our RE curriculum is designed to not only impart knowledge but also to nurture the spiritual and moral development of our pupils. Through our lessons, we aim to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith, its traditions, and its relevance to their daily lives.

Pupils explore the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the history and beliefs of the Catholic Church.
They engage in discussions and activities that encourage them to reflect on their own values, beliefs, and relationship with God.
Our RE lessons also provide opportunities for pupils to participate in prayer, liturgy, and other forms of worship, strengthening their connection to the Catholic community.

Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion

While RE at St Mary's St Joseph's is firmly rooted in the Catholic tradition, we also recognise and celebrate the diversity of our school community. Pupils are encouraged to share their own religious and cultural backgrounds, fostering a spirit of understanding and respect.

Through our inclusive approach to RE, we aim to prepare our pupils to be responsible and compassionate citizens, who are able to engage with people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Connecting with the Parish and Community

Additionally, Fr. Ged and Sister Alice regularly visit our school and share their faith experiences and work with our pupils.

Continuous Improvement

We are committed to continuously improving our RE provision to ensure that it remains engaging, relevant, and effective in supporting the spiritual and moral development of our pupils. We regularly review our curriculum, teaching methods, and resources reflecting Diocesan guidance and training.

Programme of Study:

To fulfil our intentions and objectives in R.E. we currently use the ‘Come and See’ Programme of Religious Education, following guidance from the Diocese of Salford. To begin implementation of the new Religious Education Directory, EYFS are currently planning lessons using the key objectives from this, building the foundations for the introduction of a new scheme in KS1 and EYFS in Summer 2025.

Impact

R.E. at St Mary and St Joseph’s provides children with a knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith whilst providing opportunities to reflect upon their own personal faith and spirituality. Through assessment, children progress and achieve within the subject at a level personal to them. The range of teaching styles used allows opportunities for all children to access and engage with the R.E. curriculum. All children contribute to all areas of the Catholic life of our school, regardless of their own faith background. Children at St Mary and St Joseph’s develop respect and understanding for all religions and beliefs within our school and the wider community.