"The effectiveness of Religious Education is outstanding."

"Religious Education makes a highly significant contribution to the distinctive Christian character of the school" 

Section 48 Inspection Report 2019

Intent

Our intent is driven by our mission statement, ‘We are friends journeying with Jesus in faith, hope and trust as live, love and learn together.’

We believe in supporting children to develop a moral compass based on the Gospel Values. Our four core values, Hope, Trust, Friendship and Love are promoted in RE lessons and in all areas of school life. We believe that our Christian values help our children to know themselves, learn to reflect on their experiences, explore the questions of how to live and treat others and so reach a set of beliefs by which to guide their lives.

As a joint denominational church school, the traditions of the Church of England and Catholic Church are valued and affirmed in RE lessons and by the whole school community. We are committed to the formation and well-being of the whole person and our RE lessons are dedicated to supporting our children’s spiritual, moral, emotional, intellectual, social and physical development.

Through our RE curriculum we aim to ignite a passion for the subject by;

• Equipping our children with the knowledge, skills and understanding of Christianity and other principal religions,
• Encouraging the children to be curious and excited to enquire into and explore questions about religion,
• Fostering and promoting the children’s awe and wonder,
• Increasing the children’s understanding of God, Jesus and the holy spirit,
• Fostering respect towards other religions and faith communities and 
• Enabling learners to become aware of their own beliefs and faith journey.

In order to provide a range of opportunities for our children to develop as independent, successful learners with high aspirations, our Religious Education curriculum is also intrinsically linked to our whole school curriculum drivers. Indeed, the Spiritual life of our school has been the starting point for many of the drivers. 

Gospel Values

Our four core values, which were chosen by all stakeholders, are actively promoted throughout Religious Education lessons and in all areas of school life. Our core values of hope, trust, friendship and love are at the forefront of all that we do. In addition, a different Christian value will be focussed on each half term and explored through Collective Worship and in our daily activities. The aim of our gospel values driven curriculum is that the children will be able to learn effectively, be able to feel, express and manage a range of emotions, form and maintain good relationships with others and focus on Biblical values which will help the children to live rich, balanced lives. 

Cultural Capital

Visits to places of worship, religious workshops, visitors to school and clergy/governor talks all enhance and enrich our Religious Education lessons. 

Diversity

Our Religious Education curriculum, enables children to understand the benefits that exist in a society where diversity is accepted. 

'All are made in the image of God and are loved by God. Through the example of Jesus all are called to live embodied, fulfilled human lives.' (Genesis 1:27)

Independence

The structure of the  Come and See curriculum enables the children to learn independently. The children are encouraged to explore the Christian faith in addition to Judaism and Hinduism and ask their own questions. In the respond part of each topic, the children can plan and choose how to reflect on their learning.

High Expectations

We have high expectations for all children to achieve their potential in Religious Education. The Religious Education curriculum and assessment system is developed to ensure we motivate pupils, monitor progress and achieve consistently high standards. There are high expectations for children to use appropriate religious vocabulary to articulate their thoughts and ideas. 

Implementation

As we are a joint Church of England and Catholic school, we teach RE through a supplemented version of the Catholic ‘Come and See’ curriculum. At the heart of the programme is the mystery of God’s self-revelation of love through Jesus Christ. Come and See gives pupils the opportunity to explore the mystery of faith. The Come and See curriculum allows the children to search, to explore, to discover and to respond; this is a part of what it is to be human. Central to the programme are three basic human questions and the three Christian beliefs that are the church’s response in faith.

• Where do I come from? (Life – creation)
• Who am I? (Dignity – incarnation)
• Why am I here? (Purpose – redemption)

Each Christian topic (see topic grid) takes four weeks to complete. In each topic, the children will follow the same process:

Search – Explore (week 1)

This is the introduction to the topic where the children’s life experience is explored, the question(s) it raises are wondered at, shared, investigated and their significance reflected upon.

Revelation – Reveal (Weeks 2 and 3)

This is the heart of the topic where knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith are revealed through the word in Scripture, Tradition, prayers and Christian living.

Response – Respond (week 4)

The children plan their own collective worship session and reflect on their learning from previous weeks.

RE lessons at Emmaus are planned and delivered in a variety of ways, ensuring that all children can access and participate. Interactive, practical, creative activities encourage the children to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of concepts and challenging questions. Lessons will include role play, hot seating, writing, drama, art, music and ICT.

New Religious Education Directory ‘To know You more clearly.’

This is the new programme of study, a model curriculum, to be taught in Primary and Secondary Schools.  It is linked to the Catholic Liturgical Year with a six Branch structure, one Branch per half term. The Branches are as follows:

1. Creation and Covenant
2. Prophecy and Promise
3. Galilee to Jerusalem
4. Desert to Garden
5. Ends of the Earth
6. Dialogue and Encounter.

In 2023 -2024 ‘To know You more clearly’, will be rolled out from EYFS to Year 3. Year 4 to Year 6 will begin teaching it the following year.

All staff will receive training before their teaching time begins, to enable them to explore and understand the new content and style of delivery.

Each Branch has expected outcomes that indicate what pupils are expected to know, remember, and be able to do, using the language of the ways of knowing and applying it to the discrete knowledge within each lens. There are four knowledge lenses, which are:

Hear (Section 1 of Part 1 of the Catechism),

Believe (Section2 of Part 1 of the Catechism),

Celebrate (Parts 2 and 4 of the Catechism) and

Live (Part 3 of the Catechism).

The names of these four lenses reflect the language of the Catechism itself which states that the mystery of faith which we hear and receive requires us to ‘believe in it’, to ‘celebrate it’ and to ‘live from it’. These lenses are used to deliver lessons and support pupils’ learning.

RE at Emmaus is enhanced by our wonderful city. Visits from clergy from both Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and St. Cuthbert’s church are organised. Many members of the community are invited to school to engage with the children during lessons. In addition, the children visit churches, both cathedrals and other places of worship. Learning about other cultures and religions is an important part of the children’s education and each year they will learn about Judaism and Hinduism, in addition to Christianity.

Impact

The impact of Religious Education is measured through a range of different strategies;

• Data which is produced from ongoing teacher assessments,
• Monitoring of RE books,
• Learning walks,
• Pupil voice,
• Staff voice,
• Spiritual Dimension Governor/staff termly meetings.

Religious Education at Emmaus ensures that children gain knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal world religions. RE develops pupils' skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary and questioning. In addition, skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices will be encouraged.

For pupils to be able to understand our constantly changing world, they need to be able to interpret religious issues and evaluate their significance. The impact and the ultimate measure of RE at Emmaus is that children will value themselves and the communities within which they live. Children will be prepared for adult life by developing and affirming personal identity and responsible respectful citizenship.

Key Documentation - Please see below for the Religious Education curriculum on offer to our pupils.