Religious Education
Curriculum Intent
At St Joseph’s we follow the Catholic Primary Religious Education Programme Come & See. 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. This pattern guides the structure of the programme and informs the process of each topic, opened up through; Explore, Reveal and Respond.
The curriculum is organised to allow children to develop and build upon their knowledge of religious beliefs and practices. It provides opportunities to learn about and understand different faiths, through first-hand experiences such as visits to local places of worship and guest speakers.
The RE curriculum builds upon age appropriate ‘driver words’,
- Recognise
- Retell
- Describe
- Show understanding
- Give reasons
- Make links
to help children to convey their learning and understanding. The ‘Big questions’ focus each topic, by encouraging both individual and whole class discussion and reflection.
Come and See has been created in a cyclical format to enable children to revisit and build on prior knowledge of the different beliefs and practices taught across the school.
As part of the Religious Education provision provided by Catholic primary schools we also teach the statutory requirement of RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) using the Ten Ten ‘Life to the Full’ scheme of work. This scheme allows for the teaching of sensitive and important areas in an age appropriate way, which is built upon each year.
Our RSHE (Relationship, Sex and Health Education) is taught to every year group at an appropriate level and under the guidance of the Nottingham Diocese. It is taught through our ‘Personal Development’ curriculum and builds on previous knowledge year on year.
RSHE should be delivered by Primary schools, but the responsibility as primary educators should be parents in their home environment. The partnership between home and school is invaluable.
If you wish to see the coverage delivered in school, please see the documents attached above.
Only in Year 6 is there an opportunity to remove your child from some of the content covered, this involves the topic called ‘Making Babies’. If children are removed, it is understood that this content would be covered by parents. It is an essential part of understanding how they will grow and develop. You will be notified by the class teacher when it is to be covered and if you wish to remove your child, you must do this in writing to Mrs Carr.
If you have any questions regarding the RSHE curriculum, please contact the RSHE lead in school Mrs Webster.
Curriculum Implementation
RE is taught in a three topic blocks each term. Coverage is planned to link with key dates and religious festivals to provide opportunities to celebrate festivals and religions with greater consistency and contextual relevance. Work is recorded in RE books and is evidenced with a variety of outcomes, including written pieces, artwork and photographs.
Each topic is assessed beforehand to enable teachers to target knowledge and skill appropriately. Learning is planned and sequenced , focusing on key knowledge and vocabulary around key concepts of
- Moments of wonder and question (cloud)
- Opportunities to live out our faith (heart)
- Understanding and thoughts (head)
Curriculum Impact
Alongside a whole school approach to celebrating different religious and cultural celebrations, the RE curriculum provides the means to celebrate the diversity of the community, including their beliefs, traditions, culture, language and history. We ensure children develop spiritually, academically, emotionally and morally to realise a better understanding of themselves and others and the challenges and responsibilities they face living in a rapidly changing, multicultural world.
