Nurturing Faith, Deepening Understanding

At St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Religious Education (RE) is at the heart of our curriculum. It is more than a subject — it is a way of life that shapes our values, our relationships, and our understanding of the world. 

Through high-quality RE teaching, we help children grow in their knowledge of the Catholic faith, develop a personal relationship with God, and learn to live out Gospel values in their daily lives.

Following the introduction of the Religious Education Directory (RED), all classes will now follow the new RE curriculum called Day by Day, which has received canonical approval and is fully endorsed by the Catholic Education Service. The resources, developed by Arundel and Brighton Education Service, empower teachers and pupils alike to explore and understand how scripture enables us to know God more clearly.

Our curriculum is designed to:

• Deepen children’s understanding of the Catholic faith
• Encourage thoughtful reflection and spiritual growth
• Promote respect for other faiths and beliefs
• Inspire children to live out their faith through action and service

RE is taught as a core subject, with at least 10% of curriculum time dedicated to it across all year groups.

 

Lessons are engaging, creative, and inclusive—using art, drama, discussion, scripture, and prayer to bring learning to life.

Each term, the children will follow a programme of study called 'a branch' completing 6 branches within the school year.

Branch 1 – Creation and Covenant

 

'The heavens are telling the glory of God.' (Psalm 19.1)

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 is comes 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.

 

Branch 2 – Prophecy and Promise

‘In many and various ways, God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets.’ (Heb 1:1)

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.

 

Branch 3 - Galilee to Jerusalem

 ‘God’s only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.’ (Jn 1:18)

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.

 

Branch 4 - Desert to Garden

‘Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day.’ (1 Cor 15:3)

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.

 

Branch 5 – To the ends of the Earth

‘Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’ (Mt 28:19)

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.

 

Branch 6 – Dialogue and Encounter

'For in him we live and move and have our being.' (Acts 17:28)

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.

 

 

 

 

Assessment and Progress

Children’s progress in RE is carefully monitored and assessed in line with diocesan expectations. We celebrate their achievements not only in knowledge and understanding but also in how they live out their faith in school and beyond.

A Whole-School Approach

RE is central to the spiritual life of our school and is closely linked with our collective worship, Catholic Life, and mission. Our pupils are encouraged to reflect on their learning and apply it to their relationships, choices, and contributions to the wider community.

Partnership with Parents and Parish

We recognise that parents are the first educators of their children in faith. We work in close partnership with families and our parish to support children’s spiritual development and sacramental preparation.

Parents are warmly invited to join us for liturgies, Masses, and RE-themed events throughout the year.

 

Besides the formal RE syllabus, every opportunity is taken to ensure the message of the Gospel shines through all the work of the school. Our Christian Virtues Curriculum and our focus on Catholic Social Teaching in addition to our RSHE programme, give our children a clear understanding of how to live out our mission of, 'Loving, Serving and Growing Together with Jesus'.

 

 

 

     

 

     

Although parents/carers are entitled to withdraw their child from Religious Education and worship, we encourage all children to participate in RE lessons, assemblies and daily acts of worship.

We firmly believe we are a school community and hope all children will want to participate in the life of the school. As a Catholic school, Catholic doctrine and practice permeate every aspect of the school’s activity. It is essential that the Catholic character of the school’s education be fully supported by all families in the school.  We therefore hope that all parents will give their full, unreserved and positive support for the aims and ethos of the school.

If alternative arrangements are required, this must be discussed with the Headteacher.

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