RE

Religious Education is a core subject at St Ignatius School and we allocate at least 10% of the weekly timetable to teaching it. This is separate from times of prayer and Celebration of the Word, such as assemblies, liturgies and class prayer which happen in addition to the taught curriculum. Our children attend mass in our parish church at least once a term to enhance their understanding of their Catholic faith.

Our Religious Education curriculum adheres to the outcomes set out in the Religious Education Directory (RED) Model Curriculum in ‘To know you more clearly – June 2023’. The RED fulfils the requirements of the Bishop's Conference which sets forth the expectations for what should be covered by Religious Education teaching in Catholic Schools in England and Wales.

At the heart of every Branch is Scripture, which serves as the foundation for building knowledge, understanding, practical skills, empathy, and a sense of awe and wonder throughout the curriculum.

Through the Dialogue and Encounter branch of the RED, all children are taught about other world religions so that they develop an appreciation for faith in a wider sense and are appreciative and respectful of the religious beliefs, practices and observances of others thus enabling them to be responsible and constructive members of the multi-cultural, multi-faith society in which they live. Throughout the academic year our children also have the opportunity to celebrate other faiths through various Feast Days and celebrations.

We follow the liturgical calendar- celebrating key events and sharing the relevant scripture. Children learn about the Catholic faith and develop a deep understanding of Jesus’ teachings. We expect everyone to use the lessons Jesus taught us as an example to guide their behaviour and how they choose to interact with others, in keeping with our mission statement: ‘In God’s Hands’.

All of our classes are dedicated to a particular saint and this provides a helpful focus for developing the children's understanding of how to follow Jesus. Our PEARL values also support this shared mission of making Gospel values part of all we do.