Religious Education
At St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that the aim of teaching quality Religious Education is to open pupils up to the divine mystery of God’s work. We endeavor to develop religiously literate children who are able to think spiritually, ethically and theologically. Our pupils are strongly encouraged to look at the world around them with a deep sense of awe and wonder as it is God’s wonderful creation. In addition, our children are taught to value and respect one another as we are all created in the image and likeness of God.
Religious Education in the curriculum
10% of our teaching timetable is dedicated to Religious Education. Please refer to the curriculum map and termly leaflets for more information on what the children are learning and how you can support them. The content of Religious Education at St. Joseph’s offers a systematic programme of study which comprehensively covers all the strands and requirements of The Religious Education Curriculum Directory (3-19). This ensures that the teaching and learning of Religious Education at our school reflects the vision and breadth of the teaching of the Church outlined in the Catechism.
At St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we follow the ‘Come and See’ programme to deliver high-quality Religious Education lessons from EYFS through to Key Stages 1 and 2. It encompasses three themes which are gradually explored at greater depths as the children get older. The three themes are: Church, Sacrament and Christian Living.
Come and See
At St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we follow the ‘Come and See’ programme to deliver high-quality Religious Education lessons from EYFS through to Key Stages 1 and 2. It encompasses three themes which are gradually explored at greater depths as the children get older. The three themes are: Church, Sacrament and Christian Living.
The process for delivering the topics in ‘Come and See’ has three stages:
1) Explore – ‘Explore’ is the introduction to the topic where the children’s life experience is explored. The questions it raises are wondered at, shared, investigated and their significance is reflected upon.
2) Reveal – ‘Reveal’ is the heart of the programme where knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith is revealed through the Word, in Scripture, Tradition, doctrine, prayers, rites and Christian living.
3) Respond – ‘Respond’ is where the learning is assimilated, celebrated and responded to in daily life. At the end of each topic, children will be given an opportunity to apply what they have learnt by responding to a ‘Big Question’ assessment question.
Other Faiths
At St. Joseph’s, the children also learn about other world religions such as Islam and Judaism. Each year group has a particular area to focus on within world religions which are outlined in Come and See at various times throughout the year (taking into account when festivals and celebrations fall).
