Religious Education (RE)

RE at Holy Family

Religious Education (RE) is a core subject at our school and as such has a very high profile; we aim to give children a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith. We give the religious, spiritual and moral education of our children the highest priority. RE lessons are taught using the scheme of work for Religious Education produced by the Birmingham Diocesan Education Service, ‘Learning and Growing as the People of God’, from Reception to Year 6. This is based on the Catholic School Pupil Profile Gospel Virtues and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Catholic mission of our school permeates all areas of the curriculum. As brothers and sisters at Holy Family, we strive to create an environment where we take pride in our learning, be the best we can be and make a difference in all we do. We will achieve this by having high expectations and developing a culture of ambition, challenge and achievement.

Children are prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation during Key Stage 2. This is in a three-way partnership between the school, the Parish and home.

Mass is normally celebrated at least once a month, with children from Reception to Year 6 partaking. On Saints Feast Days, Holy Days of Obligation and Ash Wednesday, we usually celebrate Mass at Church. Classes take turns to prepare and lead each Mass. Families and parishioners are always welcome to join us in the celebration of Mass, whether at school or at Church.

Prayers are said regularly throughout the day, during assemblies, class worship and during RE lessons.  Children learn prayers that are said collectively and have many opportunities to say and write prayers in their own words. They also have silent reflection time for their own thoughts and prayers.  Children are encouraged to write Bidding Prayers for their class Mass.

Intent

At Holy Family School, Religious Education (RE) serves as the foundation of our Catholic curriculum, rather than merely being a stand-alone subject. Central to our curriculum is the integration of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), which emphasises seven key strands: Stewardship, Rights and Responsibility, Dignity of the Worker, and more.

We are committed to instilling Gospel values and virtues in all our pupils, and RE is a core subject that comprises 10% of our overall curriculum. Our RE lessons, spanning from Nursery to Year 6, are guided by the Birmingham Diocesan’s new RE Curriculum “Discerning Disciples.” A spiral curriculum spanned over 6 branches.

Through this approach, we not only foster a deep understanding of the Catholic faith but also promote respect and dignity for individuals of all faiths. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where every pupil is encouraged to appreciate and embrace the diversity of beliefs within our community.

Implementation

At Holy Family School, we implement the Birmingham Diocesan’s new RE Curriculum Discerning Disciples across all year groups from Nursery to Year 6. For pupils in Years 1 to 6, we dedicate at least 10% of teaching time specifically to Religious Education (RE) lessons. In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), pupils participate in at least two stand-alone RE lessons each week, alongside access to RE Continuous Provision activities following that lesson.

Our teachers use their expertise to design engaging lessons following the Discern method that build on pupils’ prior knowledge of the Catholic faith. Learning is presented through a variety of ways, including written and oral formats, to cater to different learning styles. We also incorporate drama, art, and music into our lessons to foster empathy and deepen understanding among pupils. Children recall their Direct Knowledge Statements at the end of each lesson.

Furthermore, we make meaningful connections to Catholic Social Teaching (CST) across all subjects, utilising our Faith books to showcase and celebrate the learning that takes place. This holistic approach ensures that our pupils not only learn about their faith but also understand its relevance in their everyday lives.

Discerning Disciples:

• Branch 1: Creation and Covenant
• Branch 2: Prophecy and Promise
• Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem
• Branch 4: Desert to Garden
• Branch 5: To the ends of the Earth
• Branch 6: Dialogue and Encounter

Impact

At Holy Family School, our approach to teaching Religious Education (RE) and the broader Catholic curriculum equips our pupils to cultivate respectful relationships in an ever-changing world, regardless of faith, gender, or race. We emphasise the importance of recognising that every individual deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

Our RE curriculum is designed to challenge pupils academically, incorporating assessments during each branch through Multiple Choice Questions (Hinge Questions) and the Discern Statements. Through this subject, pupils learn to articulate their opinions and beliefs with depth and clarity, both through written and verbal answers.  RE enhances pupils’ oracy and English skills, enabling them to engage with meaningful questions and apply their learning in a thoughtful and reflective manner. This approach not only deepens their understanding of religious and ethical concepts but also prepares them to navigate the complexities of a diverse society.

Multi-Faith

Gospel values are at the heart of our school but we celebrate diversity with many of our children coming from many different backgrounds and faiths. In accordance with our RE teaching we celebrate all faiths and teach our children about the similar values that can be found in the main faiths practiced in the City of Birmingham.

As part of our new RE curriculum Branch 6 Dialogue and Encounter all children will be learning about multi-faiths and this is supported by our annual trips to different places of worship for Year 2 to Year 6 children.