At St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that the aim of teaching quality Religious Education is to open pupils up to the divine mystery of God’s work. We endeavour to develop religiously literate children who are able to think spiritually, ethically and theologically. Our pupils are strongly encouraged to look at the world around them with a deep sense of awe and wonder as it is God’s wonderful creation. In addition, our children are taught to value and respect one another as we are all created in the image and likeness of God.
Religious Education in the curriculum
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School we are beginning our journey to follow the new Religious Education Directory (RED) and its program “To Know You More Clearly”. It is an innovative and enriching new Religious Education program that seeks to deepen the spiritual journey of students by fostering a profound understanding of Catholic teachings and values.
This program goes beyond the traditional curriculum, encouraging students to explore their faith through a lens of curiosity and introspection. Through engaging lessons, thoughtful reflections, and interactive activities, “To Know You More Clearly” creates a dynamic learning environment that encourages students to connect with their spirituality on a personal level. Teachers are encouraged to be as creative as possible in their lesson planning and to employ a range of teaching styles. The RED (Religious Education Directory), is Scripture based. It follows the story of Jesus, and it is an invitation to Know Him more clearly. It allows children to get to know Him, to journey with Him through His life, death and resurrection. In addition teachers include teaching and connections with Prayer and Worship, Other Faiths, and “Rooted in Love”, the Diocese of Westminster social teaching program.
The RED is taught through six curriculum branches: Creation and Covenant; Prophecy and Promise; Galilee to Jerusalem; Desert to Garden; To the Ends of the Earth; Dialogue and Encounter. In each lesson, children explore their learning through four knowledge lenses: Hear/Word; Believe/Creed; Celebrate/Liturgy; Live/Life.
To see what your child is learning about in RE this half-term, please see planning for Branch 3 – Galilee to Jerusalem below:
Pre-Nursery – Branch 3 planning
Other Faiths
At St. Joseph’s, we nurture respectful engagement and learning about diverse beliefs and worldviews. Here’s how we approach it in Branch 6 of our RE curriculum called ‘Dialogue and Encounter’. The whole-school overview of which can be found here: Whole-school world faiths planning
Dialogue
We emphasise the importance of respectful communication between Catholicism and other faiths, beliefs, and worldviews. This dialogue reflects the call for Catholics to share their faith with kindness and openness, just as Jesus did. Rooted in God’s love for all, dialogue fosters understanding and harmony in a diverse world.
Pope St. Paul VI taught that dialogue begins with knowing ourselves and gradually extends outward:
- First, engaging with other Christian groups.
- Then, building interfaith connections with those who believe in one God, such as Jews and Muslims, with particular recognition of Catholicism’s shared roots with Judaism.
- Finally, connecting with all people, regardless of religion, to promote mutual respect and the common good.
Encounter
We encourage our pupils to explore and understand different religions and worldviews as part of their learning. This approach develops respect for cultural and spiritual diversity and helps them grow in their own faith. Children study:
- Other Christian denominations
- Judaism
- Islam
- Dharmic religions like Hinduism and Buddhism
- Non-religious worldviews
Our goal is to present each belief system from the perspective of its followers, helping pupils appreciate the richness of diversity without drawing comparisons. This nurtures respect for others and a peaceful coexistence in our shared world. Together, these elements prepare our pupils to engage meaningfully and compassionately in a multicultural society.
Judaism Workshop with Ruth Jampal from Judaism for Schools
The children had a wonderful day with Ruth learning about many different aspects of Judaism. From living the faith in everyday life to its traditions, symbols, artefacts and even learning Hebrew! Ruth was extremely engaging and the children had a fabulous day. Take a look at some of the photographs below to see the amazing activities the children were involved in.
