Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement for Religious Education at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

Intent

At Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, the intent of our Religious Education (RE) curriculum is to establish RE as the core subject of our educational framework, fundamentally shaping the spiritual, moral and intellectual development of our pupils. We aim to:

1. Develop Faith: Encourage pupils to explore their beliefs and deepen their personal relationship with God, providing them with the tools to engage meaningfully with their faith as outlined in the Religious Education Directory: To Know You More Clearly.
2. Promote Catholic Values: Instil the core values of the Catholic Church, such as love, compassion, respect and forgiveness, which guide pupils in their interactions with others, in alignment with our school mission statement “A family living, loving and learning together through the light of Christ.”
3. Enhance Understanding of World Religions: Provide a comprehensive understanding of other world religions, promoting respect and tolerance, and preparing pupils for life in a diverse society.
4. Encourage Critical Thinking: Inspire pupils to question, reflect and articulate their thoughts and beliefs, fostering a spirit of enquiry and understanding of complex moral and ethical issues.
5. Embed Catholic Social Teaching: Educate pupils on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, emphasising the importance of social justice, the dignity of all people and the call to serve others in their community.

Through our RE curriculum, we intend for all pupils to leave our school not only with knowledge of Catholic doctrine but also with a sense of responsibility to live out their faith in everyday life.

Implementation

The implementation of our RE curriculum is characterised by the following principles:

1. Curriculum Framework: Our curriculum is carefully constructed based on the Religious Education Directory: To Know You More Clearly, ensuring that it is both rigorous and relevant. It includes themes from the Bible, liturgical celebrations and teachings of the Catholic Church.
2. Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Employ a variety of engaging teaching methods, including ‘Golden Stories’, Watch and Pray, storytelling, prayer, art, drama and shared liturgy. We promote experiential learning through involvement in the local community and participation in church activities.
3. Assessment and Feedback: Regular assessments are integrated into the curriculum, with both formative and summative evaluations to measure pupils' understanding and progression. Feedback is constructive and promotes further inquiry.
4. Staff Development: All staff members are provided with regular training and support in delivering RE effectively, attending archdiocesan training sessions and collaborating in professional learning communities to share best practices.
5. Partnership with Families: Engage with parents and caregivers to foster a shared understanding of Catholic values and encourage the integration of faith at home. This includes workshops, newsletters, and family participation in school Masses, assemblies and prayer services.

Impact

The impact of our RE curriculum is evident in several key areas:

1. Spiritual Development: Pupils display a sound knowledge of Catholic teachings and demonstrate personal faith in their daily lives. They participate actively in Mass, prayer and liturgical celebrations, embodying the values taught throughout their education.
2. Respect and Tolerance: Pupils show respect for diversity, have a greater understanding of other religions and non-religious beliefs, and communicate thoughtfully about their own beliefs and values, creating a harmonious school environment.
3. Academic Achievement: RE assessments and evaluations consistently show high levels of engagement and achievement among pupils. Outstanding results reflect the successful implementation of our intentions.
4. Personal Growth: Pupils exhibit strong character and moral reasoning, taking responsibility for their actions and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges. They are prepared to be active and compassionate citizens in society.
5. Community Engagement: We observe strong links between the school, parish and local communities, with pupils participating in charitable endeavours and service to others, showcasing their commitment to living out the Gospel values and Catholic Social Teaching.

Overall, our Religious Education curriculum meticulously adheres to our school mission, cultivating responsible, insightful and faith-driven individuals who contribute positively to society.

Religious Education Directory ‘To Know You More Clearly.’

‘To Know You More Clearly’ is our new programme of study for Religious Education which is being taught in Primary and Secondary Schools across the UK.

Structural Elements

There are four Structural Elements of the programme of study (see below) as outlined in the RED, ‘To Know You More Clearly’.

The four structural elements are-

-Curriculum branches

-Knowledge lenses

-Ways of knowing

-Expected outcomes

Curriculum Branches

The RED has been designed alongside the Catholic Liturgical Year and is comprised of six Branches, one per half term. 

The Six Branches are:

Creation and Covenant

Prophecy and Promise

Galilee to Jerusalem

Desert to Garden

Ends of the Earth

Dialogue and Encounter.

Knowledge Lenses

The language used for the names of the knowledge lenses exhibit the language of the Catechism itself which maintains that the mystery of faith which we “hear” requires us to ‘believe’, to ‘celebrate’ and to ‘live’ out the messages. These lenses are used to support the delivery of the lessons and to support pupils’ learning.

The four knowledge lenses are:

Hear (Section 1 of Part 1 of the Catechism),

Believe (Section 2 of Part 1 of the Catechism),

Celebrate (Parts 2 and 4 of the Catechism) and

Live (Part 3 of the Catechism).

Ways of Knowing

The ways of knowing are applied to the discrete knowledge within each of the lenses. 

The Ways of Knowing are:

-understand (head)

-discern (heart)

-respond (hands)

Expected Outcomes

The expected outcomes are split into the following areas-revelation, sacred scripture, creation and fall, covenant, prophecy, the Good News of Redemption.

The outcomes are a synthesis of the content outlined in the knowledge lenses and the skills described in the ways of knowing. Each age phase has a prescribed set of outcomes that indicate what pupils are expected to know, remember and be able to do using the ways of knowing and applying it to the discrete knowledge within each lens.