‘The mission of schools and teachers is to develop an understanding of all that is true, good and beautiful.’ Pope Francis
The teaching of Religious Education and pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are at the heart of learning at St John Rigby. Through our opportunities for Collective Worship, involvement of our School Mission Team and our Religious Education programme, as outlined in the Religious Education Directory, we promote the importance of knowing and understanding our faith, fostering a reverence and love for God, an understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and helping our children to identify themselves as Christians in the Catholic Church, being the best versions of themselves, in order to become who they have been created to be.
R.E. is at the heart of the curriculum, enriching and informing all areas of learning. R.E. deepens pupils understanding of Catholic belief and contributes to their education in the Catholic faith, fostering reverence, awe and wonder. It is a core subject and 10% of curriculum time is devoted to it. This time does not include time spent in prayer and liturgy.
An Inclusive Approach
We recognise that everyone at St. John Rigby Catholic School (staff, children, parents and carers) is on their own personal journey of faith. As part of our Catholic identity, we respect and celebrate that members of our school community follow different religions and observe religious practices reflective of other Christian churches and religions.
Other Faiths
The Church and therefore the school, acknowledges the importance of gaining an understanding of the cultural and religious traditions of other World Religions. These are explored through the R.E. curriculum.
R.E. Curriculum
Every year group across the school is following the content of the Religious Education Directory (RED), which has been approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales. It structures learning around six Knowledge Branches and six Knowledge Lenses to provide a holistic faith journey. The curriculum is scripture-rich and also includes Doctrine, Liturgy, Social Teaching, and Interreligious Understanding.
The six knowledge branches: These are thematic units covering salvation history and Christian life:
1. CREATION AND COVENANT: BEGINNING OF FAITH AND GOD'S RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE.
2. PROPHECY AND PROMISE: THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH.
3. GALILEE TO JERUSALEM: JESUS' LIFE, MINISTRY, AND PASSION.
4. DESERT TO GARDEN: THE RESURRECTION AND THE EARLY CHURCH.
5. TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: MISSION AND EVANGELISATION.
6. DIALOGUE AND ENCOUNTER: UNDERSTANDING OTHER FAITHS AND WORLD VIEWS.
Our children explore and experience these 'branches' through three different 'ways of knowing'. These skills are:
The curriculum is further explored through six Knowledge Lenses: These lenses provide different ways to explore each branch:
• Hear: Sacred Scripture & Revelation.
• Believe: Doctrine & Creed.
• Celebrate: Liturgy & Sacraments.
• Live: Catholic Social Teaching & Ethics.
• Dialogue: Interfaith understanding.
• Encounter: Study of other religions/worldviews.
Through our R.E. curriculum, we aim to promote:
- Knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and life.
- Knowledge and love of Christ within the Sacraments.
- The skills needed to engage in examination or reflection upon religious belief and practice.
- The celebration of RE for our pupils through Liturgy of the Word, shared assemblies and liturgies.
- A spiritual dimension to the lives of the pupils, where the liturgical year is reflected in the life and activities of the school.
- Positive attitudes towards people of other faiths and other religious traditions in relation to God.
Equal Access and Opportunity
We believe that all children are entitled to equal access to the R.E Curriculum. Children with learning disabilities and gifted and talented children should be allowed to express themselves according to their ability, for example by using art to record ideas and thoughts where writing skills are less developed. All work is valued. We are aware of children’s various cultural, social, and ethnic backgrounds and are sensitive in our approach and use of materials.
Parental / Carer Involvement
Parents and carers have access to the TenTen newsletter via the parent portal. This newsletter shares some of the content children will experience in school throughout that month and is a useful resource for family prayer time. Parents are also invited to parish mass and prayer time, which includes information about their child's class patron saint. We recognise and value the vital role of parents and carers as the first educators of their children.