Curriculum R.E.

‘At the heart of Catholic education lies the Christian vision of the human person. This vision is expressed and explored in religious education. Therefore religious education is never simply one subject among many, but the foundation of the entire educational process. The beliefs and values studied in Catholic religious education inspire and draw together every aspect of the life of a Catholic school….. All pupils have the right to receive an overall education which will enable them, in the light of the faith of the Church, to engage with the deepest questions of life and find reasons for the hope which is within them. Religious Education is, then, the core subject in a Catholic school.’ (Statement on Religious Education in Catholic Schools – Bishops’ Conference 2000)

Religious Education…is a rigorous academic discipline, and as such it is to be taught, developed and resourced with the same commitment as any other subject.

Rationale of Religious Education

We believe Religious Education to be ‘the core of the core curriculum.’
We believe Religious Education is central to the educative mission of the Church.
We are aware that evangelisation and catechesis are happening in our school for some pupils, we are clear that the specific contribution Religious Education makes to the Catholic Life of the school is primarily educational and will be planned, taught, assessed and monitored with the same rigour as other subjects.
We understand Religious Education to be the systematic study of the teaching of the Church and the mystery of Christ.

The Aims of Religious Education in our schools

To promote knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and life.
To promote knowledge and understanding of the response of faith to the ultimate questions about human life, its origin and purpose.
To promote the skills required to engage in examination of and reflection upon religious belief and practice.

The RE Curriculum

In our schools we are using ‘Come and See’ which is a Catholic Primary Religious Education programme for Foundation and Key Stages 1 and 2 published in July 2012.

It is based on the theological foundations of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Catechism and the revised RE Curriculum Directory and includes the Catholic attainment levels.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses the search for meaning in life. God’s initiative in Revelation who comes to meet us and our response of faith. (cf. CCC26) This pattern guides the structure of the programme and informs the process of each topic, opened up through Explore, Reveal and Respond.

‘The outcome of Religious Education is religiously literate young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to think spiritually, ethically and theologically, who are aware of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.’

The Catholic life of our schools is centred around the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. All of our liturgies follow these themes.

RE Policy