Religious education (RE)
Statement of Intent
Intent
At St Winifred’s Catholic Primary School, Religious Education is a vital part of our school community, and thus key values and beliefs of our faith always permeate throughout the day-to-day life of our school. It is also fundamental to the purpose of St Winifred’s, as our Catholic faith informs all aspects of our life as we walk in the footsteps of Christ together. Taught so that pupils are encouraged to explore, develop and affirm their own faith, it at once provides both an environment in which the children can strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the Faith – developing their own relationship with Jesus – and afford a respect for the faith, belief and the values of others.
The R.E. Curriculum Directory 2012 states that “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,” and it is that key aim that we purpose to achieve with all of our children.
Implementation
Our core values under-pin our curriculum. Our broad and balanced curriculum enables all children to experience opportunities that develop and promote positive well-being, strengthening their resilience. We ensure that children learn how to love and protect our God-given planet. We follow the National Curriculum and in R.E. pupils follow the curriculum set out by the Bishops of England & Wales. Our key curriculum resource is, ‘The Way, The Truth and The Light’ produced by the Teachers’ Enterprise in Catholic Education. The curriculum is planned and delivered sequentially, building on skills, with knowledge becoming embedded in pupils’ long-term memory. This is checked using rigorous assessment practices and quality assurance methods.
Impact
Within Religious Education at St Winifred’s, we aim to provide the appropriate setting and opportunity for our children to:
Grow in the love of God.
Develop both their knowledge, and understanding, of the Catholic Faith.
Respect and promote their innate capacity for wonder, awe, reverence, imagination, mystery, and spirituality.
Expand their positive attitudes of appreciation, care, and respect for others, nature, and property.
Grow in maturity in their use of prayer, in all its forms, to develop a personal relationship with God.
Encourage independent study, investigation and reflection.