Religious Education
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Religious Education
At St Mary’s, Religious Education is central to our curriculum, supporting our mission to nurture the whole child – academically, personally and spiritually. As a Catholic school, 10% of our curriculum time at St Mary’s is given to the teaching of RE, ensuring it is a cornerstone of our children’s education. Through RE, we aim to deepen children’s understanding of the Catholic faith, nurture their relationship with God and help them discover how the teachings of Jesus can guide their lives and relationships.
Our RE Curriculum
We follow Lighting the Path, a Scripture-centred Catholic Religious Education programme published by Oxford University Press and supported by the Diocese of Southwark. The programme supports the Religious Education Directory, To Know You More Clearly, providing a carefully sequenced curriculum from Early Years to Year 6.
At the heart of Lighting the Path is the Bible. Through exploring Sacred Scripture, children discover the story of salvation, learn about the life and teachings of Jesus, and develop their understanding of Catholic beliefs, traditions, prayer and worship. They are encouraged to ask questions, think deeply about what they learn and make connections between their faith and everyday life.
The curriculum is organised into six interconnected branches:
- Creation and Covenant
- Prophecy and Promise
- Galilee to Jerusalem
- Desert to Garden
- To the Ends of the Earth
- Dialogue and Encounter
These branches help children develop their religious knowledge and vocabulary progressively. Key themes are revisited with increasing depth as children move through the school, enabling them to build on previous learning, develop their biblical understanding and express their ideas with growing confidence.
What do children learn?
Through Lighting the Path, children have opportunities to:
- Explore the Bible and deepen their understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings.
- Learn about Catholic beliefs, traditions, prayer and worship.
- Ask questions, discuss ideas and reflect on the meaning of Scripture.
- Develop their religious knowledge, vocabulary and critical thinking skills.
- Make connections between their learning, their own lives and the choices they make.
- Understand how Gospel values inspire us to care for others, our community and our common home.
- Express their understanding through discussion, reflection, creativity and written work.
Teachers carefully adapt learning to meet the needs of all pupils, helping every child make progress from their individual starting point.
Learning About Other Faiths
We believe it is important for children to understand and respect the beliefs of others. In line with the Religious Education Directory, pupils learn about five other world religions, with one explored in depth in each year group.
Through discovering different religious beliefs, practices and traditions, children develop an appreciation of diversity and recognise the values that bring communities together. This encourages them to approach others with respect, openness and compassion.
Faith in Action
At St Mary’s, RE extends beyond the classroom. Through prayer, reflection, liturgy, visits and meaningful experiences, children are encouraged to put their learning into practice and live out Gospel values in their daily lives.
Our aim is to nurture children who are thoughtful, reflective and confident in their understanding of faith. Guided by Christ’s love, we encourage every child to grow into a compassionate, respectful and responsible member of their family, school, parish and wider community.
Through Lighting the Path, we seek to nurture faith, inspire curiosity and help children discover how the light of Christ can guide them throughout their lives.