Religious Education

Religious Education: Intent, Implementation & Impact
Rooted in the Mission of St Joseph’s Catholic Community

Intent

At St Joseph’s, our Religious Education curriculum flows directly from our mission to “welcome everyone into our caring Catholic community” and to place the Word of God at the centre of all we do. Led by the teachings of Christ and guided by the Salford Diocese, our intent is to:

- Form a community where every child is welcomed, valued and loved as a child of God.

- Ensure that the Word of God inspires teaching, learning, prayer and daily life.

- Nurture the spiritual, moral and theological development of every pupil so they may “worship with all their hearts and minds.”

- Support children in recognising their call to be witnesses—living out the Gospel with compassion, justice, forgiveness and joy in their everyday actions.

- Promote deep knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith, scripture, liturgy and tradition.

- Teach pupils to truly care for the welfare of each person, “regardless of differences,” fostering respect for other faiths and backgrounds.

- Help pupils develop the skills needed to question, reflect, discuss and express their faith with confidence and clarity.

Our intent is for every child to grow as a thoughtful disciple who strives to “be witness to the glory of God each and every day in all we do.”

Implementation

EYFS and Key Stage 1 (Reception – Year 2)

Scheme: Lighting the Path

Following diocesan recommendation, children in the early years and KS1 learn through Lighting the Path. This scheme supports young learners to see themselves as loved by God and part of a welcoming Catholic family. Through story, play, prayer and reflection, children encounter key Bible stories, the life of Jesus and the love and care that define our mission.

Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6)

Scheme: Come and See

In KS2, pupils follow the Come and See programme, which offers structured, theologically rich opportunities to deepen their understanding of scripture, Catholic teaching, liturgy and vocation. Children explore big questions and respond thoughtfully through discussion, prayer and written work.

Whole-School Catholic Life and RE Practice

Across the school, we bring our mission to life through:

- Daily prayer, embracing traditional Catholic prayers and opportunities for pupils to pray in their own words.

- Collective worship and liturgical celebrations, including school Masses, seasonal liturgies and prayer services that enable pupils to worship “with all their hearts and minds.”

- Strong links with the parish, supporting sacramental programmes and shared worship.

- A culture of welcome and inclusion, ensuring that every child feels respected, supported and loved.

- Opportunities for service, charity projects and outreach, encouraging pupils to care for one another and the wider world.

- Teaching about other world religions through respectful and accurate study, reflecting our mission to care for all “regardless of differences.”

- Ongoing assessment, monitoring and professional development to ensure teaching is faithful, engaging and high quality.

Impact

Through our RE curriculum and our mission-led Catholic life, the impact on our pupils is clear. By the time they leave St Joseph’s, children:

- Demonstrate a living relationship with God, built on prayer, scripture and worship.

- Show confidence in talking about their faith, scripture and Catholic belief.

- Actively live out Gospel values—caring for others, showing kindness, and seeking justice in everyday situations.

- Treat every person with dignity and respect, reflecting our mission to care for all, regardless of differences.

- Understand and value other faiths and cultures while being secure in their own Catholic identity.

- Produce high-quality RE work that shows depth of understanding, reflection and the ability to make links between faith and life.

- Grow into compassionate, respectful and faith-filled young people who strive to “be witness to the glory of God each and every day in all we do.” 

The greatest impact is seen in the character of our pupils: children who welcome others, live by the Word of God, worship wholeheartedly, care deeply, and shine as witnesses to Christ’s love in the world.