RE CURRICULUM
Religious Education at St Bernadette’s
Intent
At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, our faith is at the heart of who we are and everything we do. Our school mission calls us to value ourselves and each other with Christ as our guide, and our Religious Education curriculum is central to living out this mission.
We believe that every child is unique, created and loved by God, and that every child has gifts to share with others. Through Religious Education, we encourage our children to discover more about God, themselves and the world around them, developing the knowledge, understanding and confidence to put their faith into action.
Our RE curriculum follows the Religious Education Directory (RED), To Know You More Clearly and the Diocese of Westminster's Westminster Way. It provides children with a rich and progressive understanding of the Catholic faith, Scripture, the person of Jesus Christ, the Church, prayer, liturgy, the Sacraments and Catholic Social Teaching.
We want our children to:
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know and understand the teachings and traditions of the Catholic faith;
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encounter Jesus through Scripture and the life of the Church;
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develop a love of Scripture and an understanding of the liturgical year;
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ask thoughtful questions about faith, life, meaning and purpose;
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develop their ability to think, reflect and discern;
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understand the importance of Catholic Social Teaching and the Common Good;
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appreciate and respect the beliefs and traditions of others;
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recognise their own God-given gifts and use them to serve others;
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develop the confidence to put their faith into action.
Implementation
Religious Education is a core subject at St Bernadette’s and is taught in accordance with the expectations of the Diocese of Westminster.
We follow the RED – To Know You More Clearly and use the Westminster Way to support the planning and teaching of RE. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that children revisit and deepen their understanding of Scripture, Catholic beliefs and key theological concepts as they progress through the school.
The curriculum is organised around the six RED branches:
Creation and Covenant | Prophecy and Promise | Galilee to Jerusalem | Desert to Garden | To the Ends of the Earth | Dialogue and Encounter
Children are given opportunities to understand, discern and respond to their learning through Scripture, discussion, questioning, prayer, reflection and creative activities.
RE is enriched through our Catholic life and mission, including prayer and liturgy, the Sacraments, the Church's seasons and celebrations, our parish links and opportunities for children to put their faith into action.
Catholic Social Teaching and respect for other religions and worldviews are woven throughout our curriculum, helping children understand their responsibility to others, to creation and to the wider world.
Impact
The impact of our RE curriculum is seen not only in what our children know, but in how they think, speak and act.
By the time children leave St Bernadette’s, we want them to be religiously literate, thoughtful, compassionate and confident young people who:
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have a secure understanding of the Catholic faith and Scripture;
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can talk confidently about their beliefs and ask thoughtful questions;
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understand the importance of prayer, worship and the Sacraments;
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recognise the dignity and value of every person;
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respect different beliefs, cultures and traditions;
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understand their responsibility to care for others and creation;
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recognise their own gifts and use them positively;
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understand that faith is something to be lived as well as learned.
Above all, we hope that our children leave St Bernadette’s knowing that they are loved by God, valued by their community and capable of making a difference in the world with Christ as their guide.