Religious Education

Introduction and Policy

Jesus Christ is at the centre of all that we do in St. Bernadette’s Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy. We are a Christian community blessed  by God’s grace to be founded in the faith, hope and love that comes from knowing Jesus Christ. Hence, here at St. Bernadette’s, Religious Education is treated with utmost reverence, and we echo these sentiments of the Bishops of England and Wales:

‘Religious Education is not one subject amongst many but the foundation of the entire education process. The beliefs and values it communicates should inspire and unify every aspect of school life.’

‘Christ at the Centre’ published by the Catholic Truth Society

At St. Bernadette’s it is our honour and our passion to help, support and encourage each child to fulfil their God-given potential in an environment permeated by the Catholic Faith and promoting Gospel values. The Religious Education we offer provides comprehensive catechesis in the Catholic faith, evangelization of the Gospel message, coupled with creative and meaningful opportunities for worship, praise and thanksgiving, adoration and prayer.

STB Religious Education Policy

The Come and See Curriculum

The ‘Come and See’ programme, in line with Diocesan guidance and The Religious Education Curriculum Directory (2012) enables the provision of Religious Education based upon the four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council:

❖  REVELATION – God speaks – finding meaning in life.

❖  CHURCH – Christ the light of the nations – Community of Faith

❖  CHRISTIAN LIVING – Joy and hope – Way of Life

❖  SACRAMENTS – Liturgy: Celebration – Celebration in symbol and ritual

The Themes

‘Come and See’ is developed through three themes based upon the above documents of the Second Vatican Council, which are gradually explored each time at greater depth. They are Church, Sacrament and Christian Living. The basic question and belief for each season time is explored through three themes:

❖  Community of Faith – Church

❖  Celebration of Ritual – Sacraments

❖  Way of Life – Christian Living

Each of the themes occurs in each season time and each theme gradually builds on the understanding of the previous theme. The themes for each season are as follows:

Advent

The three Advent Term themes are developed in the light of an understanding of Creation:

FAMILY – Domestic Church focuses on life as a gift, myself as a unique and loved creation, the creative love and care that can be expressed in family groups.

BELONGING – Baptism/Confirmation focuses on the call to belong. Baptism and Confirmation, Sacraments of the gift of God’s Life and Friendship.

LOVING – Advent/Christmas focuses on the capacity for entering into loving relationships and the perfect gift and revelation of God’s Love, Jesus, born to Mary, born as one of us.

Lent

The three Lent Term themes are developed in the light of an understanding of Incarnation:

COMMUNITY – Local Church focuses on the people of God gathered in Christ, united in the journey of faith, in care for one another, in sharing their story and in celebration.

RELATING – Eucharist focuses on the invitation to know Jesus, to live in communion with Him and one another.

GIVING – Lent/Easter focuses on Jesus’ loving self-giving on the cross, the Father’s love that raises him to new life, and the challenge of Christians to follow Jesus’ example of self-giving.

Pentecost

The three Pentecost Term themes are developed in the light of an understanding of Redemption and the work of the Holy Spirit:

SERVING – Pentecost focuses on the ongoing mission of Jesus Christ in the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit.

INTER-RELATING – Reconciliation focuses on the love, compassion and forgiveness of God the Father revealed in Jesus and poured out by the Holy Spirit to bring forgiveness and reconciliation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

WORLD – Universal Church focuses on the same love revealed in the diversity of the world and its people, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit that bear fruit in love, joy, justice and peace for all people.

STB Come And See Themes and Topics

STB Come and See Progression Document

Come and See at Home Letters to Parents

Please find below links to our ‘Come and See at Home’ letters to parents.

These will be updated termly and include lots of very important and interesting information about the topics being studied by the children in Religious Education lessons, and in addition how they might be followed up at home.

The letters also contain dates for a number of important events, including the following: key Liturgical dates; the celebration of Holy Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation; class assemblies, special whole school celebrations, such as the Christmas Fair and Strawberry Tea; fundraising initiatives which help to support those in need.

STB Advent Term 2024/25 Come and See Parents’ Letter

STB Lent Term 2024/25 Come and See Parents’ Letter

Come and See Assessment in Religious Education

We assess our children in Religious Education using the Nottingham Diocese End of Year Expectations document, which uses key driver words for each year group. We make use of external and internal moderation opportunities to ensure the quality of teacher’s judgments, as well as regular book scrutiny to ensure work is engaging and is sufficiently challenging for all pupils.

STB End Of Year Expectations

Other Faiths Overview

In the Advent Term and the Pentecost Term, one week is given to the exploration of another World Faith. Judaism is taught for one week every year in the Advent Term. Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism are taught on a three year cycle as the third taught faith each year. The third faith is taught for one week each year in the Pentecost Term.

A selection of special festivals are celebrated in classes throughout the year.

Please find below grids which show our ‘Other Faiths’ Curriculum.