Curriculum Intent for Religious Education
In this subject, the children will have the opportunity to deepen knowledge and understanding of the Catholic Faith. We regard religious Education as more than a curriculum subject. It is something that guides every area of our school. As a Catholic school, we aim to educate the whole child and our ethos is inseparable from the curriculum. Children will have the opportunity to learn about God’s love and discover their Christian responsibilities and how they should pray and care for others. They learn to examine how to react to different emotions following the example that God and Jesus set for us.
They will be supported and challenged to know more and remember more enabling them to reach the end points for each key stage. This will equip them to succeed in education and in adult life, and to make a positive contribution to society for the common good.
Please look at the parents’ letters for each term to see when the topics will be starting as well as suggestions for activities to do at home.
RE Curriculum Overview 2023-24
THE RE PROGRAMME: COME AND SEE
Religious Education is at the centre of all we do, here at St John Fisher. It can be seen throughout our school, not just in our RE lessons, but through Collective Worship, our links with our local parish and our behaviour towards one another.
RE is a core subject and, in line with the Bishops’ Conference recommendations, 10% of teaching time is allocated to RE.
In September 2012 the school, like all of those in the Nottingham diocese, replaced the ‘Here I Am’ syllabus with a new programme called the ‘Come and See’.
The new programme invites pupils to explore the religious aspects of life, dignity and purpose within the Catholic tradition. Pupils reflect on personal experiences and links are made with the Catholic faith as well as other faith traditions.
A variety of teaching methods and resources are used, including stories from the Bible, songs and hymns, role play, liturgical dance, creative activities, videos and CDs and discussion.
The pupils study three themes each term and 63 topics in total from Reception through to Year 6.
The themes are:
Autumn term: Our church – family, Baptism and Confirmation – belonging, Advent and Christmas – loving.
Spring term: Local church – community, Eucharist – relating, Lent and Easter – giving.
Summer term: Pentecost – serving, reconciliation – inter-relating, universal church – world.
All of the topics are rooted in the children’s own experiences in life and our teachers then extend the learning further through reflection and purposeful activities. We look at scripture passages that match the topic being covered and unpick the meaning and talk about how we can use this Scripture to enhance our lives and help us to be better Christians.
During the academic year, two other faiths are also taught; during the autumn term we learn about Judaism and during the summer term we discover more about another world religion such as: Islam, Sikhism or Hinduism.
Each term parents receive a letter that details what the pupils will cover as well as some suggested activities that can be done at home to support pupils.
