Religious Education

RED 'To know you more Clearly

Intent

We are a Catholic school with Christ and Gospel values at the centre of our lives. We recognise and value every individual as special, unique and made the image and likeness of God. Through our Mission statement we aim to encourage children to answer God’s call to come to know Jesus through their experiences and reflections.     

The aim of Religious Education at St. George’s is for the children to grow in their own spirituality and faith, through their love for God and one another, their learning about and from God and their praise of God and his creation. Through our curriculum we promote each child’s innate capacity for wonder, awe, reverence and spirituality.

Our children are taught about God’s love; they learn about their Christian responsibilities and are provided with experiences of church, Catholic and Christian traditions, as well as being taught to be respectful and understanding of people and traditions from other faith backgrounds. Through Religious Education our children learn about their unique place within the home, school and parish community. Central to our ethos are the opportunities for prayer and worship which lie at the heart of our faith. We will promote and encourage prayer at every level, together with the skills and attitudes necessary to live out the Christian message in the modern world.

Implementation

As RE is a core subject it is taught for 10% of the curriculum, in line with the Bishops’ Conference recommendations. Collective worship / Celebration of the Word is in addition to this. We are implementing the new curriculum To 'Know You More Clearly' as outlined the Religious education directory. This is a staggered roll out with that aim that all classes will be using this curriculum by the end of 2026, until then classes will continue to follow the 'Come and See’ Religious Education Programme.

The "To Know You More Clearly" curriculum, a provides a framework for helping primary school children develop a deeper understanding of God, their faith, and their relationship with Him. Key elements include:

·         Deepening Knowledge of God: Focuses on helping students grow in their personal relationship with God, learning to know and love Him more clearly.

·         Understanding Key Catholic Teachings: Introduces foundational Catholic doctrines, such as the Trinity, the life of Jesus, the importance of prayer, and the sacraments.

·         Scripture and Tradition: Encourages students to explore and understand stories from the Bible and how these teachings shape our Catholic faith and values.

·         Prayer and Worship: Supports children in developing a regular prayer life, learning both personal and communal prayers, and understanding the role of Mass and other liturgies.

·         Living the Faith: Teaches students how to live out their faith in everyday actions, through love, kindness, forgiveness, and service to others.

·         Moral and Ethical Development: Helps children understand moral choices, guided by the teachings of Jesus and the Church, and encourages them to live with integrity and compassion.

·         Celebrating Catholic Seasons: Guides students through the liturgical year, helping them understand the significance of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and other important Church seasons.

·         Spiritual Growth: Aims to foster the spiritual development of each child, promoting virtues like faith, hope, charity, and reverence for all creation.

This curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded approach to religious education, helping students not only know more about their faith but live it out in their daily lives.

Impact

Impact on Pupils
RED to Know You More Clearly helps children grow in faith and understanding in a way that feels real and meaningful to them. Through prayer, reflection and time together, pupils are supported to:

·         Build a closer friendship with God.

·         Feel confident to share their thoughts and questions about faith.

·         Learn to treat others with kindness and respect.

·         Make good choices that reflect the values of love and care.

This approach helps our children to flourish – growing not only in knowledge, but also in compassion, confidence and a strong sense of belonging.

Through the complete and rigorous Religious Education at St George’s, children are given the opportunity to develop and become brothers and sisters in Christ. They talk openly and deeply about their Faith and reflect this in their everyday life. They demonstrate their understanding of Gospel values in their everyday actions and behaviours and this is seen clearly through the whole ethos of our school.

They also show this learning through deep questioning, reflective responses, respect for all and treating others as God would want them too. Children are happy and confident in their place in the community and have a clear understanding on their impact in it.