Intention

The principal aim of RE is to ensure that teaching and learning truly reflects the vision and breadth of the teaching of the Church. The teaching of the Church is to be proclaimed faithfully and is the key to human happiness and social prospering. Pupils are guaranteed the possibility of developing harmoniously their own physical, moral, intellectual and spiritual gifts, and are also helped to develop their sense of responsibility, learn the correct use of freedom, and participate actively in social life. The primary purpose of Catholic Religious Education is to come to know and understand God’s revelation which is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. Our school is ‘a clear educational project of which Christ is the foundation.’ In the person of Christ, the deepest meaning of what it is to be human — that we are created by God and through the Holy Spirit united with Christ in his Incarnation — is discovered. This revelation is known through the scriptures and the tradition of the Church. RE helps the pupils to know and experience the meaning of this revelation in his or her own life and the life of the community which is the Church. Hence, the promotion of the human person is the goal of our Catholic school.  Religious Education is central to the curriculum of the Catholic school and is at the heart of the philosophy of Catholic education.

Implementation

Religious Education at St Thomas’ is firmly rooted in the new Religious Education Directory, To Know You More Clearly, which places Christ at the centre of learning and teaching. 

RE is a core subject and is carefully planned and taught in every class in line with diocesan guidance. Through a curriculum grounded in Sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Catholic Church, prayer, and liturgy, pupils deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith.

This curriculum provides opportunities for celebration, prayer and reflection in implicit and explicit ways, introducing the children to a 'literacy' in religious activities, places, stories, symbols and rituals, people and objects, a 'systematic presentation of Christian event, message and way of life' in ways appropriate to the age and stage of development of the child. 10% of teaching time is dedicated to the teaching of RE.

We inspire spirituality through the use of thought provoking stimuli and a range of teaching and learning strategies. We encourage discovery by exploring the children’s spirituality, the beliefs of the Catholic church and how they link with those of our global neighbours.

We foster a curiosity by enabling the children to ask their own deep thinking questions which they are then encouraged to debate comparing and contrasting their own thoughts and opinions with those of others. It will raise questions for reflection by the children on their own experiences. It will enable them to explore the beliefs, values and way of life of the Catholic tradition and, where appropriate, other faith traditions.

We develop responsibility by creating a child-led approach to their learning where children are able to ask questions and deepen their understanding of the concepts, values and beliefs that are important to them.

We instil resilience by encouraging the children to explore scenarios and issues that challenge their own beliefs until they can reach their own personal conclusions.

 As a result the children respect and value their own personal beliefs, views and values and are inclusive of others from a range of cultures that may differ from their own and are lifelong learners.

Impact

At St Thomas, we prepare children to thrive in the diverse community of Grays and the increasingly interdependent world. Pupils are confident and resilient in their own religious beliefs and identity, simultaneously showing mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and challenge prejudice. Pupils have a sense of enjoyment and fascination in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.  Pupils are reflective, offering their own thoughtful and informed insights into religious world-views. Children from St Thomas are prepared to live positive and fulfilling lives, leaving our school able to fully participate in life in modern Britain. The impact and quality of our RE curriculum is evidenced as Outstanding in our last Section 48 inspection.