RE
Religious Education
Subject Leader - Mrs Stephenson
At St Joseph’s we are: ‘Learning with Jesus, to be the best we can be.’
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and reflects our mission: “Learning with Jesus, to be the best we can be.” We believe that RE is “the core of the core curriculum” and is of central importance to all that we do.
Religious Education is taught with the same high expectations, care and rigour as other core subjects, with 10% of curriculum time dedicated to RE.
Our RE curriculum enables pupils to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills, while growing in their understanding and love of God, the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic faith. Through RE, pupils are encouraged to hear, believe, celebrate, live, dialogue and encounter, developing the confidence to ask questions, reflect on their learning and consider how their faith influences the way they live.
We want our pupils to become faith-filled, knowledgeable, compassionate and courageous young people, ready to make a positive difference to the world around them.
Intent
At St Joseph’s, we strive for all children to enjoy and have enthusiasm for Religious Education, promoting the individual talents and abilities of pupils to ensure that each child fulfils his or her full potential. All children have access to high quality teaching that helps them develop a good understanding of, and respect for, their own faith and the faiths and beliefs of others. RE has a positive impact on pupils’ spiritual and moral understanding of the world and develops skills that support them throughout their lives.
Our Curriculum
Our Religious Education curriculum follows the Religious Education Directory (RED) and uses the diocesan-approved Oxford University Press Lighting the Path programme as our principal resource.
The curriculum provides a clear and progressive approach to Religious Education, enabling pupils to build their knowledge, understanding and skills as they move through the school.
Our curriculum is organised around the six branches of the RED:
- Creation and Covenant
- Prophecy and Promise
- Galilee to Jerusalem
- Desert to Garden
- To the Ends of the Earth
- Dialogue and Encounter
Through these areas of learning, pupils explore Scripture, Catholic beliefs and teaching, prayer and worship, the life of the Church, Catholic Social Teaching and the beliefs and experiences of others.
Pupils develop their knowledge through a range of learning experiences, including Scripture, discussion, questioning, reflection, retrieval of prior learning, practical activities and opportunities to share and explain their understanding.
Implementation
At St Joseph’s, we are proud to implement RE with the support of the Diocese, with the Catholic faith driving everything we do. The curriculum is characterised by clear learning questions and key content, which are delivered through effective teaching and learning and a range of resources. Achievement is identified through clear outcomes and accurate methods of assessment. RE at St Joseph’s is developed and resourced with the same commitment as other core subjects, making sure all children can access and understand their Catholic faith. Through creative and enriching lessons, the expectation is that children will confidently develop and apply skills, such as investigating, reflecting and making judgements. They will develop these skills progressively through the years, allowing them to deepen their understanding of their faith.
Implementing RE in Our Mixed-Age Classes
Following recent changes to the organisation of the school, all classes are now mixed-age. Our RE planning takes account of the different year-group expectations within each class to ensure that pupils continue to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills progressively.
Core objectives for each year group have been carefully mapped out, alongside suggested activities to support teachers in delivering shared RE lessons while ensuring that learning is appropriately matched to pupils’ age and stage of development.
Religious Education in the Early Years Foundation Stage
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children begin to develop their understanding of God, Jesus, prayer and the Catholic faith through engaging and age-appropriate experiences.
Children are encouraged to wonder, ask questions, listen to Scripture, talk about their experiences and begin to recognise how faith is lived out in everyday life.
Through stories, discussion, prayer, celebration and practical experiences, children begin to develop the foundations of religious knowledge and understanding that they will build upon throughout their time at St Joseph’s.
Religious Education in Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1, pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith through Lighting the Path.
Pupils explore Scripture, the life and teachings of Jesus, key Catholic beliefs, prayer, celebrations and traditions. They are encouraged to use appropriate religious vocabulary, make connections between Scripture and their own lives, and reflect on how Christian beliefs influence the way people live.
We place a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ confidence to talk about their learning, explain their ideas and ask thoughtful questions.
Religious Education in Key Stage 2
During the 2026–2027 academic year, Lighting the Path is being implemented across the remaining Key Stage 2 year groups, following its introduction in Reception and Key Stage 1.
In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their knowledge and understanding of Scripture, Catholic beliefs and the life of the Church. They explore increasingly complex questions about faith, make connections between different areas of their learning and develop their ability to explain and justify their ideas.
Pupils are encouraged to think critically, reflect deeply and respond thoughtfully, developing the knowledge and skills they need to understand their faith and its relevance to their lives.
Dialogue and Encounter
An important part of our Religious Education curriculum is developing pupils’ ability to dialogue and encounter.
Through the Dialogue and Encounter branch of the RED curriculum, pupils develop their understanding of different Christian traditions, religions and worldviews.
Pupils are encouraged to approach the beliefs and experiences of others with respect, curiosity and understanding. They explore similarities and differences and develop the confidence to talk about their own Catholic faith while listening carefully to the beliefs and experiences of others.
Other Faiths
Alongside the Dialogue and Encounter branch of the RED curriculum, the school provides additional dedicated teaching about Other Faiths.
We believe that developing pupils’ understanding of different faith traditions is an important part of preparing them to live and flourish in a diverse society.
Through dedicated units throughout the year, pupils learn about the beliefs, practices and traditions of different faith communities. This additional provision enables pupils to develop deeper knowledge and understanding of other faiths, while encouraging respect, empathy and positive attitudes towards people whose beliefs and practices may differ from their own.
Please read our Religious Education Policy and Prayer and Liturgy Policy for more information (under the policies section, 'Key Information').
There is more information in the Catholic Life section of the website.
You can find out more about worship and the Catholic Life of our school in this newsletter!
RE Subject Leader - Parent View