Religious Education at St. Mary’s 2022/2023
Intent Statement
Through the study of religious education, St Mary's children will become a visible disciple of Jesus - even when it is not easy. They will develop an understanding and respect for the beliefs of others.
Rationale and our learning sequence Education Commission for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark states the following:
Our vision is that all our schools should provide an authentically Catholic education for all who want it, in a setting in which all children flourish and where the quality of education, including educational standards, is exemplary.
At St. Mary’s we consider Religious Education to be one of our core subjects; Religious Education is at the centre of our school community where we strive to live out the gospel values of love, respect and tolerance of each other as we meet Jesus Christ in each other. Through our curriculum children, develop a deep understanding of their own faith and that of other major world faiths, which are studied from Reception.
The Religious Education Curriculum Directory states “the outcome of excellent Religious Education is religious literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who are aware of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.” Our curriculum follows “The Way, The Truth, The Life” Religious Education programme throughout the whole school; a syllabus is based on the Religious Education Directory for Catholic Schools implementing a scripture-based scheme which develops through the different year groups. The Liturgical calendar is followed in school and supported by our school Chaplin Fr Ashley Beck. For example, the coming of Jesus through Advent, devotion to Mary, the mysteries of the Rosary through May and October, Saint’s feast days as they occur throughout the year, The Passion of Our Lord and Eastertide together with the feasts of Ascension, Pentecost and the Assumption. Through our curriculum we aim to ensure that our pupils are equipped with the following skills:
- Help the children to grow in the love of and closer to God
- Develop both a knowledge and understanding of their own faith and that of other faiths
- Support children in understanding the power of prayer in all its forms, helping them to develop a personal relationship with God.
- Develop in children gospel values including helping others locally, nationally and internationally who are in need.
- Instil in children a sense of awe and wonder at the magnificence of God’s creation; develop their understanding of the need to care for and respect others and the natural world.
This learning is supported by many enrichment activities including regular Masses and religious ceremonies in school, visits to the places of worship of other world faiths, regular participation in national and international charitable endeavours, and participation in Faith in Action, Mini Vinnies and the Oscar Romero Award. Our curriculum map tracks the sequence of learning for our children and seeks to build on prior learning at all stages of the learning journey so that children are able to refer to prior learning experiences when accessing new learning and deepening skills and understanding over time.