“At the heart of Catholic education lies the Christian vision of the human person. This vision is expressed and explored in religious education. Therefore, religious education is never simply one subject among many, but the foundation of the entire educational process.” (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, 2000).
In a Catholic school, Religious Education is ‘the core of the core curriculum’ (Pope St John Paul II), not only as an academic subject but as a vital part of the Church’s mission to make Christ known to all people. Rooted in the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church, RE supports the spiritual, moral and intellectual formation of young people, preparing them to live out their faith with wisdom, compassion and integrity, remembering that we have both our origin and our destination in God.
RE in our school plays a central role in supporting parents, the primary educators, in the religious formation of their children, while also fostering meaningful links between the home, the parish, and the wider diocesan community. It serves both the Church and society by promoting values of truth, justice, respect, and love, and by equipping pupils to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
RE also fosters skills of critical thinking, philosophical enquiry, and ethical reasoning, helping pupils to engage with life’s ultimate questions and to discern their place and purpose in God’s creation. Through our carefully planned five-year curriculum, pupils will:
- Explore the life, teachings, and mission of Jesus Christ, the history and development of the Catholic Church, and how faith is lived out through worship, prayer, and moral action.
- Reflect critically and respectfully on their own beliefs and those of others, including those from other world religions such as Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism, as well as those with no religious belief. This nurtures a deep empathy and understanding, in line with Gospel values of inclusion, dialogue, and love of neighbour.
- Analyse why people believe in God, how belief affects behaviour, and how religion has profoundly shaped culture, literature, and art, enriching their understanding of both faith and human experience.
Ultimately, Religious Education in our Catholic school forms pupils who are spiritually aware, morally responsible, and intellectually curious. It inspires them to live out their faith in service to others, to stand for truth and justice, and to recognise the sacred in themselves, in others, and in the world around them, just as Christ taught us.
Head of Department: Mrs. M. Wallbank
Exam Board: Pearson
