Religious Education Curriculum
Religious Education is the core of the core curriculum in a Catholic school. At St Teresa's, pupils engage with Scripture, theology and Catholic Tradition through a carefully sequenced curriculum that develops religious literacy and enables every child to flourish academically, spiritually, morally and socially.
At St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum. Through RE, we support children to grow in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith whilst developing the skills to reflect, question, discuss and engage thoughtfully with matters of faith and belief.
We follow The Way, the Religious Education programme of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, which has been designed around the requirements of the Religious Education Directory (RED): To Know You More Clearly.
Our curriculum places the person of Jesus Christ at its centre and enables pupils to explore Scripture, Catholic Tradition and the teachings of the Church in a coherent and progressive way.
Our Intent
At St Teresa's, we believe that Religious Education is the core of the core curriculum. Through the study of Scripture, Catholic Tradition and the teachings of the Church, we aim to develop religiously literate young people who are able to engage thoughtfully with questions of faith, meaning and purpose.
Following the Religious Education Directory, To Know You More Clearly, and through the implementation of The Way, our curriculum enables pupils to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, encounter the richness of the Christian tradition and appreciate how faith influences the lives of individuals and communities.
We aim for all pupils to:
- Develop a secure knowledge and understanding of Scripture, Catholic belief and Church teaching.
- Grow in religious literacy and theological understanding.
- Think critically, ask questions and engage respectfully with different viewpoints.
- Understand the influence of religion and belief on individuals, communities and society.
- Respect and engage positively with people of all faiths and none.
- Recognise the dignity of every person and their responsibility towards the common good.
- Flourish academically, spiritually, morally and socially.
- Be equipped to contribute positively to society and the wider world.
Through Religious Education, we seek to nurture knowledgeable, reflective and compassionate young people who understand their God-given dignity and are inspired to live out our mission of "Do the Little Things Well."
The Religious Education Directory (RED)
The Religious Education Directory seeks to ensure that pupils encounter the richness of the Catholic faith through a curriculum rooted in Scripture and the story of salvation.
Through Religious Education, children are encouraged to:
- Know and understand the key beliefs of the Catholic faith.
- Explore the meaning and significance of Scripture.
- Examine how faith shapes the lives of believers.
- Make connections between theology, lived experience and the wider world.
- Develop the vocabulary and understanding needed to engage in theological discussion.
The Way
The Way provides a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge progressively from Nursery to Year 6.
Children explore six curriculum branches:
- Creation and Covenant
- Prophecy and Promise
- Galilee to Jerusalem
- Desert to Garden
- To the Ends of the Earth
- Dialogue and Encounter
These branches help pupils understand God's plan of salvation and the place of the Church within that story.
Religious Education and Religious Literacy
Religious Education is a rigorous and academically ambitious subject. Through carefully sequenced learning, pupils develop religious literacy, enabling them to engage confidently with Scripture, Catholic Tradition and the teachings of the Church.
Children are supported to think theologically, interpret Scripture, explore different sources of wisdom and understanding, and develop the vocabulary needed to articulate their learning with confidence and increasing depth.
Religious Education in the Classroom
Lessons are rooted in Scripture and encourage children to think deeply, ask questions, engage in discussion and communicate their ideas with increasing confidence and precision.
Children are supported to:
- Interpret and respond to Biblical texts.
- Explore theological concepts in age-appropriate ways.
- Develop and apply religious vocabulary.
- Make connections between faith, culture and society.
- Reflect critically and respectfully on important questions about meaning and purpose.
Through Religious Education, pupils learn how to think theologically, interpret Scripture, explore different sources of wisdom and understand how faith shapes the lives of individuals and communities.
Dialogue and Encounter
As part of the Dialogue and Encounter branch of the curriculum, pupils learn about other faiths and worldviews alongside their study of Catholicism. This helps children develop respect, understanding and empathy, whilst equipping them to engage thoughtfully and positively with people whose beliefs and experiences may differ from their own.
Grounded in the dignity of every person, our curriculum encourages pupils to recognise both what we share in common and what makes each faith tradition unique.
Inclusion and Excellence
We believe that every child should be able to access and succeed in Religious Education.
Teachers use a range of adaptive approaches to ensure that all learners, including those with SEND, can engage successfully with the curriculum whilst maintaining high expectations. Alongside curriculum resources provided through The Way, we have developed bespoke support materials and curriculum adaptations that help pupils access key concepts and theological understanding.
At St Teresa's, all pupils are supported to access the richness and challenge of Religious Education. Through carefully designed adaptations, bespoke support materials and curriculum resources rooted in the RED, we ensure that every child can engage meaningfully with theological concepts whilst maintaining high expectations for all.
Our curriculum support systems help teachers maintain fidelity to the RED whilst ensuring learning is ambitious, inclusive and meaningful for every child.
Through our bespoke curriculum support resources and curriculum support tools, teachers can adapt learning appropriately whilst maintaining the integrity, knowledge and theological richness of the curriculum.
Why Religious Education Matters
Religious Education helps pupils explore some of life's most important questions about meaning, purpose, truth, relationships and human dignity. Through engaging with these questions, children develop a deeper understanding of themselves, others and the world around them.
As a Catholic school, we aim for pupils to leave St Teresa's as knowledgeable, reflective and compassionate young people who are equipped to contribute positively to society and flourish in God's world.
Preparing Children to Flourish
Religious Education contributes significantly to the development of the whole child. Through engaging with questions of faith, meaning, morality and human dignity, pupils develop the knowledge, understanding and character needed to flourish in modern society.
In the spirit of our mission, "Do the Little Things Well," we seek to develop knowledgeable, compassionate and thoughtful young people who understand their value as individuals and their responsibilities within the wider world.