As a Catholic School, we share in the mission of the church to make Christ known to all people through all ages. Our school carries out this undertaking through the Catholic Life and through the teaching of Religious Education as the core of the curriculum
Aims of Religious Education
The outcome of excellent religious education is religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who are aware of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.
Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools 2012
At Claughton St. Mary’s Catholic primary school we aim to:
- develop the children’s knowledge and understanding of the Catholic Faith and, where appropriate, other religious traditions, by following the Gospel values and providing opportunities for prayer, worship and spiritual growth.
- ensure children feel cared for and care for each other so that everyone who enters our community feels welcome to engage in examination of and reflection upon their own life stance, to deepen their personal faith commitment and to respect that of others. “We will strive for friendliness not loneliness to work together as one body.” (1Corinthians12: 27-28)
- provide a broad, well-balanced curriculum in a stimulating and fun learning environment where we recognise the unique qualities in every child and encourage freedom of expression.
- give children a happy, memorable time at our school, where we promote the child’s innate capacity for wonder, awe, reverence and imagination to shine in all that they do and for everyone to see – “…so that those who come in can see the light.” (Luke 8: 16-17)
Objectives of Religious Education
We will achieve our aims by:
- providing a programme that is academically acceptable, enjoyable and taught in a creative and inspiring way, according to standards and guidelines set out by the Diocese.
- developing knowledge and understanding in our children of the mystery of God, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Church and the central beliefs which Catholics hold.
- developing an understanding of its impact on personal and social behaviour and the relationship between faith and life.
- developing appropriate skills: for example, ability to listen, to think critically, spiritually, ethically and theologically, to acquire knowledge and organise it effectively, to make informed judgements.
- fostering appropriate attitudes: for example, respect for truth, respect for the views of others, awareness of the spiritual, of moral responsibility, of the demands of religious commitment in everyday life and especially the challenge of living in a multicultural, multi-faith society.
- presenting a ‘systematic presentation of the Christian event, message and way of life’ in a way that is appropriate to both the age and stage of development of each child.
- developing staff’s knowledge and underlying theological understanding, as well as educational principals, of the topics under focus.
- providing opportunities for celebration, prayer and reflection in implicit and explicit ways.
- respecting our own Diocesan and pastoral practice and support parish sacramental preparation programmes for First Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation.