R.E

Intent

At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School, Christ is at the centre of all that we do. Through our Religious Education curriculum, we aim to nurture children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development by promoting Gospel values and the teachings of the Catholic Church throughout school life.

Inspired by our school values, we encourage children to be caring, kind and respectful, just like Jesus. We teach our pupils that everyone is an important part of our school family and that each person is unique and valued by God. Through RE, children learn to respect differences, work together positively and persevere on their journey to success.

Our Religious Education curriculum provides children with a strong spiritual and moral foundation. Pupils learn about God’s love, the life and teachings of Jesus, the traditions of the Catholic Church and the importance of prayer, worship and reflection. Children are also encouraged to develop understanding and respect for people from different faiths, religions and worldviews.

Through Religious Education, pupils grow in awareness of their role within their family, school, parish and wider community. We aim for children to develop a deepening relationship with God and to become compassionate, thoughtful and responsible members of society.

Implementation

At Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School, we follow the Religious Education Directory curriculum To Know You More Clearly. Following guidance from the Diocese of Hallam, this curriculum is taught progressively from Reception to Year 6 to ensure continuity and progression for all learners. To support teaching and learning, staff use resources from Magister, approved by the Catholic Education Service.

Impact

The curriculum is organised through the Liturgical Year and consists of six branches, including the teaching of other faiths and worldviews. Scripture is central to each branch and supports children in developing knowledge, understanding, compassion, awe and wonder.

• Branch 1: Creation & Covenant – Creation of the world and covenants made in the Old Testament
• Branch 2: Prophecy & Promise – Advent and the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus
• Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem – The life, ministry and teachings of Jesus
• Branch 4: Desert to Garden – Lent, Holy Week, the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus
• Branch 5: To the Ends of the Earth – Pentecost and the work of the early Church
• Branch 6: Dialogue & Encounter – Other religions and worldviews

The ways of knowing

The curriculum develops pupils’ understanding through three “Ways of Knowing”:

• Understand – helping pupils understand sacred texts, beliefs, practices and traditions
• Discern – encouraging pupils to think deeply, make connections and reflect thoughtfully
• Respond – supporting pupils in responding personally to their learning and considering how faith influences life

Knowledge Lenses

Teaching is structured through six knowledge lenses:

• Hear – Sacred Scripture and God’s revelation
• Believe – The teachings of the Creed and Catholic faith
• Celebrate – Prayer, liturgy and the sacraments
• Live – Catholic Social Teaching and living as disciples of Christ
• Dialogue – Respectful understanding of other faiths and traditions
• Encounter – Learning about different religions and worldviews

The curriculum hours allocated to RE are non-negotiable and are followed consistently across school.

RE leaders monitor teaching and learning through lesson visits, pupil voice, planning reviews and book scrutinies. Staff receive support and training where necessary to ensure high-quality teaching and consistency across the school.

Teachers provide high-quality lessons that meet the needs of all learners, including pupils with SEND and EAL. Lessons include a range of approaches such as teacher modelling, discussion, independent work, collaborative learning and practical activities. Adaptations and scaffolds are used to support pupils in accessing learning successfully.

Teachers make deliberate use of retrieval practice and key vocabulary to help pupils build on prior learning and strengthen long-term understanding. Regular assessment opportunities and AfL strategies are used within lessons to identify misconceptions and adapt teaching where needed.

Pupils are encouraged to engage with RE through a variety of experiences including scripture, artwork, music, prayer, discussion, drama and reflection. Lessons often end with opportunities for prayer and personal reflection.

Each class takes part in acts of worship and liturgical celebrations throughout the year, helping pupils develop confidence, reverence and participation in Catholic life.

Father Elliot and Father John Ryan support the Catholic life of the school and regularly contribute to pupils’ spiritual development through worship, liturgy and school celebrations.

Educational visits and enrichment opportunities are used where appropriate to enhance pupils’ understanding and experiences within the RE curriculum.

At the end of each unit, teachers assess pupils against RE objectives and identify whether pupils are working towards, within or above age-related expectations.

Impact 

The impact of our Religious Education curriculum is that children make good progress in knowledge, understanding and spiritual development throughout their time at school. Pupils develop a secure understanding of the Catholic faith while also learning to respect and value people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Children leave Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to continue their faith journey and wider education successfully.

Through RE, pupils:

• deepen their relationship with God and understanding of the Catholic faith
• confidently talk about their learning using religious vocabulary
• participate respectfully in prayer, liturgy and acts of worship
• demonstrate compassion, kindness and respect towards others
• understand the importance of Gospel values in everyday life
• achieve well regardless of background or starting point
• recognise themselves as valued members of both the school and wider community

RE is at the heart of school life and is reflected in the caring, respectful and inclusive ethos of our school community.