Rationale of Religious Education
The primary purpose of Catholic Religious Education is to come to know and understand God’s revelation which is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. This revelation is known through the scriptures and the tradition of the Church as taught by the Magisterium. Religious Education helps the pupil to know and experience the meaning of this revelation in his or her own life and the life of the community which is the Church. Religious Education is a core subject in a Catholic school and is planned, taught, assessed and monitored with the same rigour as other core curriculum subjects.
The Aims of Religious Education
- To present a comprehensive content which engages pupils and is the basis of knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith;
- To enable pupils continually to deepen their religious and theological understanding and be able to communicate this effectively;
- To present an authentic vision of the Church’s moral and social teaching so that pupils can make a critique of the underlying trends in contemporary culture and society;
- To raise pupils’ awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities in order to respect and understand them;
- To develop the critical faculties of pupils so that they can relate their Catholic faith to daily life;
- To stimulate pupils’ imagination and provoke a desire for personal meaning as revealed in the truth of the Catholic faith;
- To enable pupils to relate the knowledge gained through Religious Education to their understanding of other subjects in the curriculum;
- To bring clarity to the relationship between faith and life, and between faith and culture.
New Religious Education Directory - 'To know you more clearly'.
Understanding the New Religious Education Directory
The new Religious Education Directory (RED), published by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, sets out a refreshed vision for how Religious Education (RE) is taught in Catholic schools today. It replaces the previous directory “Come and See” and provides updated guidance for all Catholic schools from Early Years to Sixth Form.
What is the Religious Education Directory?
The RED is the Church’s framework for what children and young people learn in RE lessons. It outlines:
- What pupils should know and understand about the Catholic faith.
- How they can reflect on their own beliefs and values.
- Ways to explore other world religions and worldviews with respect and curiosity.
Why has it changed?
The Church has updated the directory to:
- Ensure Religious Education remains relevant and engaging for pupils today.
- Reflect the latest educational research and Church teaching.
- Support pupils in developing a deeper relationship with God and an understanding of how faith shapes life in the modern world.
What will this mean for our pupils?
Children will continue to:
- Learn about Scripture, Sacraments, prayer, and Catholic social teaching.
- Develop critical thinking, compassion, and spiritual awareness.
- Study other religions and worldviews to promote understanding and respect.
Teachers will use new curriculum frameworks and resources guided by the RED to plan lessons that are:
- Rooted in the Catholic tradition.
- Connected to real-life experience.
- Designed to help pupils grow in faith, knowledge, and love.
Autumn
Creation and Covenant
Prophecy and Promise
Spring
From Galilee to Jerusalem
From Desert to Garden
Summer
To the Ends of the Earth
Dialogue and Encounter
As part of our RE learning, we also look at the faiths of Judaism and Sihkism, together with other events throughout the year such as Remembrance Day.
A Partnership with Parents
Parents are the first educators in faith, and the RED recognises this vital role. The school will continue to support you in nurturing your child’s spiritual development through:
- Class liturgies and prayer opportunities.
- Learning about saints, scripture, and the Church’s year.
- Shared events and celebrations of faith.
