At St Mary’s Priory Catholic Infant and Junior Schools, Religious Education exists to deepen each child’s understanding of God’s revelation, brought to fullness in the person of Jesus Christ. This revelation is passed on through Scripture and the living tradition of the Church. Through Religious Education, pupils are invited to explore, recognise, and reflect on how this truth shapes their own lives and the life of the Church community.

In our school, Religious Education is regarded as the foundation of the entire curriculum - “the core of the core.” It is planned, delivered, assessed, and evaluated with the same level of care and academic challenge as all other core subjects. As the central element of our curriculum, it receives 10% of dedicated teaching time and influences every other aspect of learning within a broad and balanced educational programme.

The aims of Religious Education:

1.  To support pupils in a structured exploration of the mystery of God, the life and message of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Church, and the core beliefs held by Catholics, including their foundations and how they connect to daily life.

2.  To help pupils consistently grow in their religious and theological understanding and develop the ability to express this clearly and confidently.

3.  To offer a true and faithful presentation of the Church’s moral and social teachings, giving pupils a reliable framework for living and the skills to thoughtfully engage with modern culture and society.

4.  To provide pupils with insight into the diverse religions and world views found in today’s world, along with the ability to take part in respectful, meaningful dialogue with those who hold different beliefs.

5.  To strengthen pupils’ critical thinking skills so they can better understand the link between faith and everyday life, as well as the interaction between faith and culture.

6.  To inspire pupils’ imagination and encourage a sense of personal purpose as revealed through the truths of the Catholic faith.

7.  To enable pupils to connect the knowledge gained from Religious Education with their learning across the wider curriculum.

Ultimately, the aim of Religious Education at St Mary’s Priory Schools is to nurture young people who are spiritually aware and actively engaged, equipped with the knowledge, understanding, and age‑appropriate skills needed to reflect deeply, and to think with ethical and theological insight. Such pupils recognise what living out religious faith requires in the reality of everyday life.

At St Mary’s Priory, our shared faith and sense of purpose shape everyday life and learning. Rooted in the Gospel and lived through prayer, worship and relationships, our shared faith guides us as we nurture the whole child. It is not something we simply learn about; it is lived, celebrated and experienced each day.  Working in partnership with families and our parish, we help every child grow, serve others and flourish.
This is where great lives begin.

Below is our RE curriculum overview which complies with the guidance in the new Religious Education Directory - 'To know you more clearly'.