Religious Education
At St Francis 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 can 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.
At St Francis Catholic Primary School, we are following the 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 pupils by fostering a profound understanding of Catholic teachings and values.
This program goes beyond the traditional curriculum, encouraging children 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 pupils 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 is scripture based, following 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 Liturgy and world faiths.
The RED is taught through six curriculum branches:
Creation and Covenant
In this branch, pupils will encounter the God who creates and calls a people. They will explore revelation of the Christian belief that all that has come from God, the Creation accounts in Genesis, and scientific explanations of the process of Creation. They will explore the call of God and his covenantal relationship with his people first through Abraham and Moses, then through the narrative of the Old Testament.
Prophecy and Promise
In this branch, pupils will explore the Christian understanding of the teaching of the prophets as they point to the fulfilment of God’s promise in a Messiah, Jesus Christ. They will explore the expectant waiting for the Messiah through the Advent season and how this speaks to Christians today as they wait for Christ. Pupils will encounter the story of the nativity of Jesus and the mystery of the incarnation.
Galilee to Jerusalem
In this branch pupils will learn about the life of Jesus and his revelation of the Kingdom of God through parables, encounters, miracles, and teachings. They will learn about the call of the disciples and the nature of being a follower of Jesus.
Desert to Garden
In this branch, pupils will study the season of Lent and its culmination in the events of Holy Week. They will learn about the Paschal Triduum at the heart of the Catholic Church’s Liturgy and life. The title of this branch points both to the liturgical journey from the desert of Lent to the garden of Resurrection, but also to the Paschal journey from darkness to light, barrenness to fruitfulness, death to life.
Ends of the Earth
In this branch, pupils will study the events that flowed from the Resurrection and Ascension in the coming of the Holy Spirit and the work of the apostles and early Church. They will also learn about the Catholic Church today as the apostolic Church and how its liturgy and structures flow from the early Church.
Dialogue and Encounter
In this branch, pupils will learn how Christians work together with people of different religious convictions and all people of goodwill towards the common good, respecting the dignity of all humanity. They will also encounter other pathways of belief drawing on the teaching of the Church about intercultural dialogue.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic social teaching (CST) is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world.
Jesus’ instruction to "love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31) is at the heart of how Catholics believe they should participate in their community and the wider world.
At St Francis Catholic Primary School we teach our children about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). As Catholics, we believe that it is our role to help others in need and care for the world we have been given.
Our school values are rooted in the principles of CST. Each year group focuses on a different value and tries to extend ideas through reflection and action in class, in the playground and all around the school. We encourage the children to live their faith, working with Catholic organisations such as CAFOD, and the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society.
https://cafod.org.uk/pray/catholic-social-teaching