Religious Education: To Know You More Clearly

 

 

 

 

At St Paul’s Catholic Junior School, Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and our mission to ensure that everyone feels loved, valued and encouraged to be and do the best they can.

We follow To Know You More Clearly, the Religious Education Directory (RED) for Catholic schools in Years 3, 4 and 5. This curriculum helps our pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith, explore the teachings of Jesus and reflect on how faith can shape the way we live. It also encourages pupils to learn about other religions and worldviews, fostering respect, understanding and meaningful dialogue.  Year 6 will continue to follow the Come and See RE programme this academic year, with the new Religious Education Directory (RED) curriculum being rolled out to Year 6 from next academic year.

The Six Branches of the RED

Our Religious Education curriculum is organised into six branches, which provide a journey through the story of God's relationship with humanity. Each branch builds on pupils' previous learning, helping them to make connections and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.

Creation and Covenant

Pupils explore the story of Creation, God's love for humanity and the covenant relationship between God and his people. They consider our responsibility to care for creation and for one another.

Prophecy and Promise

Pupils discover how God speaks to his people through the prophets and explore the promises of God, including the hope of the coming of the Messiah.

From Galilee to Jerusalem

Pupils explore the life and ministry of Jesus, his teachings, miracles, death and Resurrection. They reflect on what it means to follow Jesus and live according to his example.

From Desert to Garden

Pupils journey through the themes of suffering, sacrifice, hope and new life. They explore the significance of Lent, Holy Week and Easter, reflecting on Jesus' death and Resurrection.

To the Ends of the Earth

Pupils discover how the Holy Spirit inspired the disciples and the early Church to spread the Good News of Jesus. They explore the mission of the Church and consider how Christians are called to share God's love with others.

Dialogue and Encounter

Pupils learn about other religions and worldviews, exploring different beliefs, practices and ways of life. They develop the skills to ask thoughtful questions, listen respectfully and appreciate both differences and shared values.

The Knowledge Lenses

Within each branch, pupils explore their learning through six knowledge lenses. Four focus on understanding the Catholic faith, while two help pupils explore other religions and worldviews.

Hear

Pupils encounter the Word of God through Scripture and explore the stories, teachings and messages that reveal God's love and his relationship with humanity.

Believe

Pupils develop their understanding of what Catholics believe about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Church, exploring the beliefs that shape Catholic life.

Celebrate

Pupils learn about how Catholics celebrate their faith through prayer, the sacraments, liturgy and the Church's liturgical year.

Live

Pupils consider how Catholic beliefs influence the way people live, make choices and treat others. They reflect on how they can follow Jesus' example through love, kindness, forgiveness and service.

 

Dialogue

Pupils develop their ability to discuss religious beliefs and ideas thoughtfully, ask meaningful questions and engage respectfully with different perspectives.

Encounter

Pupils learn about the beliefs, practices and experiences of people from different religions and worldviews, developing respect, understanding and appreciation of diversity.

How Do Our Pupils Learn?

The RED encourages pupils to develop their understanding through three interconnected ways of knowing:

• Understand: What will I see and hear to help me understand?
• Discern: How will I discover more and think deeply about what I have learnt?
• Respond: What can I do now in light of my learning?

These approaches encourage pupils not only to acquire knowledge but also to think critically, reflect on the meaning of their learning and consider how it might influence their lives.

At St Paul's, we want our pupils to grow in knowledge, faith and understanding, becoming thoughtful, compassionate and respectful young people who put the teachings of Jesus into action in their everyday lives.

Through our Religious Education curriculum, we seek to help every child know God more clearly, love him more dearly and follow him more nearly.