Religious Education at St. Patrick’s

Subject Leader – Mrs Mulrooney & Mrs Ryan

At St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary Academy, 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.  We regard Religious Education as more than a curriculum subject. It is something that guides every area of our school. The whole life of a Catholic School has to be an expression in practice of Catholic belief and Catholic tradition. Children are not only taught their faith but are encouraged to put their faith into practice in their own lives as they grow.

The Religious Education within the school promotes awe, wonder, reverence and spirituality within every child. As children are taught about God’s love they discover their Christian responsibilities and how they should pray and care for others.

Our Catholic faith is central to day to day life of our school and all aspects of the curriculum, and pupils are encouraged to recognise the importance of their faith and they respond to all forms of liturgy and collective worship with respect and reverence.

We have a rich liturgical life in that the experiences we provide are wide ranging and take place in school, out of school, in Church and the wider community, and engage and involve pupils, parents, staff, governors and the parish.

At St. Patrick’s we follow the RE curriculum scheme based around the strategy ‘Learning and Growing as the People of God’ – developed by the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Each year, children cover topics linked to the liturgical year: Creation, Prayer, Saints and feasts, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Sacraments. We teach tolerance and respect for other faiths, races and cultures within each of these topics.

A range of teaching strategies and learning methodologies are employed depending on the needs and abilities of the children and the nature of the activities being undertaken. Work will be differentiated in terms of activity or outcome according to the needs and abilities of the children.

Approaches will include whole class teaching, group activities and individual work. Children will have opportunities to work individually as well as co-operatively and collaboratively, developing their own knowledge and expertise as well as sharing their experiences with others.

All work will involve thought provoking reflection and discussion, encouraging the children to develop their moral and spiritual consciences.

Catholic Religion Documents