Intent (Why we learn...)

At St Saviour’s Catholic Primary and Nursery School, we aim to support children to acquire and develop a deep knowledge and understanding of their Catholic faith within their RE lessons.

 

These skills are:

• To be enthusiastic, inquisitive, lifelong learners: RE at St Saviour’s respects and promotes each child’s innate capacity for wonder, awe, reverence and spirituality as they acquire and develop a deep knowledge and understanding of their Catholic faith. We aim for our children to build a stronger relationship with God day by day.

 

• To be strong communicators: we provide opportunities for children to ask and answer difficult questions about their faith as they are supported in their faith journey.

 

• To be well-rounded, independent and resilient learners with aspirations: at St. Saviour’s we have high expectations for all our pupils. Children are encouraged to foster the search for meaning, value and purpose to completely fulfil their potential, and they are offered opportunities to question, develop responses and formulate their own views about their faith.

 

• To develop and use their God given talents by being creative: at St Saviour’s we recognise and value every individual as special and unique as we are made in the image and likeness of God. Our pupils support one another, explore the world through learning, challenge themselves, discover and develop their talents, inspire and love one another.

 

• To be responsible citizens who are eager to make a positive contribution to their community and wider society: our Religious Education curriculum ensures our children aspire not to have more, but to be more. Through RE, children at St Saviour’s become aware of their duties, rights and responsibilities towards themselves and others as part of God’s creation.

 

In line with other areas of the curriculum, reading is prioritised in RE. Children have access to age-appropriate Bibles, as well as other fiction and non-fiction texts through which children will become knowledgeable about their faith and deepen their understanding of how Scripture, the Church’s teachings and tradition inspire and shape their lives today. This takes place in RE lessons as well as story times and other opportunities throughout the day.

 

Implementation (How we teach...)

At St Saviour’s we recognise that the school has a special part to play in supporting parents who strive to develop a lasting faith commitment for their child. In school, we do this in three main ways:

• by creating an atmosphere which pervades the whole life of the school, where the unique value of each person is recognised and respected.
• by creating a structured liturgy appropriate to the age and ability of the children.
• by delivering a planned programme of religious education.

 

God is at the centre of the learning process at St Saviour’s and religious education is at the heart of the curriculum. We have high expectations for all and we teach R.E. in a creative way using a multi-sensory and cross curricular approach where appropriate, which enables all children to access learning and actively participate alongside their peers.

 

We ensure that a minimum of 10% of curriculum time is allocated for R.E. teaching across all key stages. The requirements of the R.E. curriculum are met through the scheme ‘The Way, the Truth and the Life’ which in turn meets the requirements of the Religious Education Curriculum Directory set out by the Bishops Conference of England & Wales. The scheme provides the basis for teaching the doctrines of the Catholic Church and is underpinned by four key areas of learning: Revelation, The Church, Celebration and the Life of Christ.

 

At St Saviour’s we believe in ‘Quality First’ teaching for all children. Lessons are planned by class teachers to meet the individual needs of children and is appropriate to their level of development for R.E. Knowledge organisers are used to ensure consistency and children are encouraged to foster the search for meaning, value and purpose to completely fulfil their potential. We believe that for effective learning to take place the children require opportunities to question, develop responses and formulate their own views about fundamental questions. We also use trips and visits to enhance learning experiences during key moments of the liturgical year such as Advent or Lent.

 

Assessment is used regularly in the form of Assessment for Learning. As well as this, and in line with the Catholic Directory as specified by the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, R.E. is formally assessed on a termly basis through written tasks. This identifies where individual or group support is needed.

 

At St. Saviour’s we believe it is important to prepare children to live in a diverse, fast changing, global world. They explore the religious dimensions of questions about life, dignity and purpose within the Catholic tradition and are also taught about other faiths and cultures. They learn specifically about Judaism through the ‘The Way, the Truth and the Life’ and have opportunities to learn about other faiths through a variety of initiatives such as ‘Interfaith week’, cross-curricular links, school trips and assemblies. This teaching is in accordance with the Catholic Directory as specified by the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

 

Our subject leader receives up to date training so that they have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in curriculum design and delivery. They posses the relevant knowledge and expertise to fulfil this role, closely supported by senior leaders.

 

Our R.E. curriculum encourages our pupils to build a closer, deeper relationship with God, providing them with diverse and meaningful learning opportunities which are aimed to develop within the children a positive attitude of enthusiasm, curiosity, respect and reflection.

Impact (As a result…)

Children at St Saviour’s are inquisitive leaners who are able to deepen their appreciation of their faith through our religious education curriculum. The impact of our school’s curriculum can be seen in the pupils’ books as well as in the pupil data and through pupil voice. Progress is measured through three key assessment points during the academic year. Pupil data is analysed to ensure attainment and progress are on track in each year group. Through the provision outlined above, children across the school are able to talk enthusiastically and in an articulate manner about their knowledge and understanding of religion, and the majority of children achieve at least age-related expectations in RE at the end of the academic year.

 

We believe the real impact of our religious education curriculum comes through in the strength of character, determination and moral, social and spiritual awareness of our pupils, who are inspired by what they have learnt in primary school and continue to develop their knowledge of the Catholic faith as they move to secondary school. As a result, they are prepared for life in modern Britain, knowing that they have a purpose in the world and a responsibility towards it and one another.

 

At St Saviour’s we aim to instil and develop in our children a love for learning, curiosity, a willingness to take chances and know more about their faith and the world around them, and their deep sense of responsibility for themselves and others. As our pupils leave our school, they will be able to make connections between their own lives and the lives of those in our local community and in the wider world. We are certain the world needs such young people who believe in God and in their own worth, loving themselves and others, and who are able to walk out in joy and confidence into the future.

 

RE Curriculum

 

Religious Education – Curriculum Time Allocation

God is at the centre of the learning process at St Saviour’s and Religious Education is at the heart of the curriculum. With this in mind, RE at St. Saviour’s will never be confined to just ‘timetabled slots’ but will take place in a variety of contexts throughout every day. Specifically structured lessons will also take place. 

10% of direct teaching time throughout the school (2.5 hours per week) is allocated to Religious Education as stated in our Statement of Justification. 

 

Programme of Study

In line with Diocesan guidance, the school follows ‘The Vine and The Branches’ programme of Religious Education. The contents of  ‘The Vine and The Branches’ Programme of Study are based on the requirements of the Religious Education Directory of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales 2023.

 

Teaching and Learning

At St. Saviour’s we have high expectations. We teach R.E. in a creative way using a multi-sensory and cross curricular approach where appropriate, which enables all children to access learning and actively participate alongside their peers. Work is planned to meet the individual needs of children and is appropriate to their level of development for R.E. Children are encouraged to foster the search for meaning, value and purpose to completely fulfil their potential. We believe that for effective learning to take place the children require opportunities to inquire, question, develop responses and formulate their owns views about fundamental questions. We do this by trying to develop within the children a positive attitude of enthusiasm, curiosity, respect and reflection.

 

Other Religions

We live in a pluralistic society with people of different races, cultures and religions. At St Saviour’s we believe it is important to prepare children for the challenges of living in modern Britain as part of a diverse, fast changing, global world, and so our children are taught about other faiths. They learn specifically about Judaism and Islam during our Interfaith Weeks, and have opportunities to learn about other faiths through a variety of initiatives such as cross-curricular links (for example, with history and geography), visitors to school, assemblies and trips out of school. This teaching is in accordance with the specifications of the Bishops Conference of England and Wales.

‘Within our schools we are seeking to educate all pupils of whatever religion to be able to live a way of life that integrates their beliefs with all other aspects of what it means to be human. As part of this, they must learn to live alongside others who are different and hold alternative views, including religious views.’  

(Para 201, ‘Meeting God in Friend and Stranger.’ Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales; Section 205)

 

Assessment, Monitoring and Recording and Reporting

Assessment of RE is a continual process. All R.E. work is assessed, monitored, recorded and reported in line with whole school policy, and is included alongside Mathematics and English in whole school monitoring cycles. All R.E. data is analysed on a termly basis, and this information is used to identify trends and address any potential areas of weakness across the school. As well as this, and in line with the Catholic Directory as specified by the Bishops Conference of England and Wales, R.E. is formally assessed on a termly basis through written tasks.

 

Whole School Community Involvement

At St. Saviour’s we believe that children should develop a sense of social responsibility and respect and develop strong links within the local community. As a school community led by the School Council, we hold fundraising events for many local and international charities. St Saviour’s takes an active part in a local cluster group of Catholic Schools, both primary and secondary. Head teachers meet regularly and work together to discuss and promote Catholic teaching values. 

There is a strong partnership with Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish with regular visits from our parish priest, Fr Godlove. Our KS2 pupils participate in the celebration of the Eucharist at Our Lady's on a half-termly basis. We have also developed a Mini Vinnies group in order to work closer with our parish and the SVP group. This group of children attend a weekday parish Mass at least twice each half term. We also collaborate with the parish and parents to support the children in their preparation for First Forgiveness and Holy Communion. 

As well as this, our front line actions provide the children with the opportunity to collaborate with our school and parish communities. Based on the Catholic Social Teaching principles, each half term the children in our school come together to actively participate in the life of our community, helping to build God’s Kingdom and bringing the Good News to those who are in most need.

At St Saviour’s, through forgiveness and love and in a safe environment, we help each other to be what God created us to be and to be confident and independent citizens in His world. We are a caring school where every individual is highly valued and able to learn and grow in an ethos of mutual love and respect.