RE Lead -  Mrs. A Kinslow

Intent

At St Edward’s Catholic Primary School we recognise the importance of promoting Christian values through the school and beyond.  Our values are:

• Love
• Respect
• Achieve

Members of the school community develop spiritually through mutual respect, sensitivity to the needs of others and through prayer and celebrations of shared values in order to nurture and strengthen the school family.

By living out these values we aim to create an awareness of a sense of belonging to and being part of the life of St Edward's Catholic Primary School.

We encourage children to actively live their faith:

• To help them develop a personal relationship with God.

• To develop the whole child: spiritually, mentally, morally, socially and culturally.

• To learn the doctrines, traditions and culture of the Roman Catholic Church.

• To explore and enjoy a wider experience of prayer and worship.

• To experience a stable, secure and happy environment.

• To foster and develop the spiritual life of each member of the school community.

• To work in partnership with the home and parish.

Implementation

RE is taught every week throughout the school using The Way, The Truth and The Life Programme as a resource.

Throughout the school year the children will spend time learning about other faiths as well the Catholic faith so as to give the children a wider understanding of all religious beliefs.

Every school day begins with Collective Worship either as a whole school community in the hall, or in our classrooms. 

Each class will attend mass at the SS Henry & Elizabeth at Christmas, Easter and at the end of July alongside the parish community as well as at other allocated time of the year.

Masses are also held at the school to mark key moments and celebrations conducted by the Parish Priest.  When relevant to the liturgical calendar, the Parish Priest also conducts services with our children to which the parish community and parents are invited such as: Ash Wednesday, Reconciliation and Benediction Services.

Father Aklilu welcomes all our families to his parish and enjoys visiting the school the school and individual classes to support the teaching of RE and the children’s learning.

One class in upper Key Stage 2 visit Aylesford Priory for the Picnic & Praise Celebration which is a Diocesan event as organised by the Education Commission.

We educate the whole child through a structured curriculum permeated by Gospel values and linked with the PSHE Curriculum

This includes assessment opportunities through informal observation, marking and feedback and ongoing formal assessment opportunities.

The children’s work is recorded in individual exercise books and a class Big Book.  The RE Team regularly review the progress and achievement through book looks and lesson observations.

'The Way, The Truth and The Life'

John 14:5-7

“Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

At St Edward’s Catholic Primary School, we follow the ‘The Way, The Truth and The Life’ syllabus. This scheme of work, whilst covering the essential theological content, gives all our learners a clear understanding of what and why they are being asked to study and how this learning will enrich their lives and the lives of others. Learning about the Catholic faith leads to learning from the Catholic faith. Each topic is developed in depth for a period of approximately six weeks; some are not covered every year, but are picked up in greater depth every two or three years.

The centrality of the Mass in the lives of Catholics is present throughout the teaching and learners can explore this together in ways that are appropriate for each age group. The scheme of work presents children with meaningful activities, requiring a wide range of skills, which help to develop their religious understanding and knowledge and encourage their appreciation of Christ’s most wonderful gift to us

‘The Way, The Truth and The Life’ is firmly rooted in scripture. It presents Catholicism as a world Church, open to the truth in other religions and it encourages learners to engage with and discuss the big issues in our world today. 

If you would like further information on the content of the curriculum, please contact Mrs Kinslow  via the office.