Religious Education
Why is Religious Education important in our school?
Religious Education is the "core of the core curriculum" in a Catholic school (Pope St John Paul II). Placing RE at the core of the curriculum in Catholic schools helps the school to fulfill its mission to educate the whole person in discerning the meaning of their existence, since "Religious Education is concerned not only with intellectual knowledge but also includes emotional and affective learning. It is in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of what it is to be human truly becomes clear. Without religious education, pupils would be deprived of an essential element of their formation and personal development, which helps them attain a vital harmony between faith and culture." (Religious Education Curriculum Directory p4).
In Holy Family Catholic Primary School, we pride ourselves on our welcoming Christian ethos, founded on the teachings of Jesus. We aim through our curriculum, our policies and procedures, and through our day to day witness, to strive to uphold the greatest of Christ's commandments:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is to, "Love your neighbour as yourself."
Religious Education is a core subject at Holy Family Catholic Primary School, and each class from Reception to Year 6 receives two RE lessons per week. In Nursery, the children receive one RE lesson each week. Our curriculum is mapped out against the Lancaster Diocese curriculum wheels. Through their Religious Education lessons, the children explore their faith, the teachings of the Church, and learn to retell and understand key bible stories. Children are assessed against the Age Related Standards in RE.
Information regarding what the children are learning each half term is shared in the year group curriculum maps and also on the long term plan below.
Religion is also taught throughout the day to day life at Holy Family Catholic Primary School, and links with Catholic Social Teaching and Gospel Values. Alongside this, the Catholic life of the school, through prayer and liturgy and reflections also supports learning in the classroom.
Religious Education Long Term Plan
Below is our long term plan for Religious Education. These follow the Lancaster diocese curriculum wheels.
