'I am the way, the truth and the life.' John 14:6

At St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Religious Education lies at the heart of everything we do. Our mission, ‘Christ at the Centre’, shapes our curriculum, our relationships and the daily life of our school community.

Through prayer, worship and learning, we help children to grow in faith, deepen their relationship with God and develop a strong understanding of the Catholic faith. We want every child to recognise their dignity as a child of God and to grow into a compassionate, respectful and responsible member of society.

Our Religious Education Curriculum

At St Peter’s, we follow Lighting the Path, the Oxford University Press Catholic Religious Education programme supported by the Diocese of Portsmouth. It has been developed to support the Religious Education Directory (RED): To Know You More Clearly, which provides the framework for Religious Education in Catholic schools.

Lighting the Path takes a Scripture-first approach, helping children to encounter the Word of God, explore Catholic beliefs and traditions, deepen their understanding of prayer and worship, and consider how faith shapes the way we live.

The curriculum is organised into six connected branches of learning:

Creation and Covenant

Children explore God as Creator and learn about the people He calls into relationship with Him.

Prophecy and Promise

Children discover the prophets and explore how Scripture points towards the coming of Jesus Christ.

Galilee to Jerusalem

Children follow the life, ministry and teachings of Jesus and consider what these reveal about who He is.

Desert to Garden

Children journey through Lent and Holy Week, exploring Jesus’ suffering, death and Resurrection.

To the Ends of the Earth

Children learn about the Resurrection, Pentecost and the mission of the early Church.

Dialogue and Encounter

Children explore other Christian traditions, religions and worldviews, developing respect, understanding and appreciation of others.

Through these branches, children build their knowledge progressively from Year R through to Year 6, regularly revisiting important Scripture, ideas and vocabulary so that they can make connections and deepen their understanding.

Teaching and Learning

We aim for children not simply to learn about the Catholic faith, but to think deeply about what faith means and how it influences our lives.

Children are encouraged to ask questions, take part in thoughtful discussion, reflect on Scripture and make meaningful connections between their learning and everyday life. Teachers use a range of approaches including discussion, questioning, reflection, creative activities and written work so that all children can engage fully with Religious Education.

Prayer and Liturgy

Prayer and worship are central to life at St Peter’s.

Children take part in daily prayer, class liturgies, whole-school worship and regular Masses throughout the year. As they progress through the school, they encounter different forms of prayer and develop confidence in planning and leading prayer and liturgy themselves.

Parents, carers and parishioners are warmly welcomed to join us for many of our Masses and liturgical celebrations.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching is woven throughout our Religious Education curriculum and across the wider life of our school.

Inspired by the teachings and example of Jesus, children learn about the dignity of every person, caring for creation, serving the common good and supporting those in need.

These principles are brought to life through learning across the curriculum, charitable work, fundraising and opportunities for children to put their faith into action. We encourage our children to recognise that faith calls us to care for one another and to make a positive difference in God’s world.

Other Religions and World Views

As part of the Religious Education Directory, children also learn about other religions and faith traditions.

Through the Dialogue and Encounter branch, pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of others. This helps children to grow in respect, understanding and appreciation of others while also deepening their own understanding of the Catholic faith.

Assessment

Assessment in Religious Education is ongoing and helps teachers to understand what children know, understand and can reflect upon.

Teachers use discussion, questioning, written work, observation and pupil reflection to assess progress and identify next steps in learning. The aim is to ensure that every child continues to develop their religious knowledge, understanding and ability to think deeply about faith.

Religious Education at St Peter's

Through our Religious Education curriculum, we seek to help every child to:

• know and understand the teachings of the Catholic faith;
• encounter Jesus Christ through Scripture, prayer and worship;
• grow in their relationship with God;
• think deeply, ask questions and reflect;
• respect the beliefs and traditions of others;
• live out Gospel values in their daily lives; and
• recognise how they can make a positive difference in the world.

'To help children to know and love the Lord ever more is one of the most beautiful educational adventures, for it builds up the Church and society.’ – Pope Francis