RE Zone
At St Bede's Catholic Primary School we ‘Achieve Excellence Together' , Inspiring independent learners with Jesus by our side. We aim to provide the very best Catholic education for our pupils as a learning community underpinned by a Catholic ethos based upon Gospel values. Through the general and prayer life of the school as well as Religious Education, we aim to celebrate the uniqueness of every child, enabling them to reach their potential: spiritually, morally, academically and socially.
The Curriculum – Religious Education
We recognise that the school has a special part to play in helping parents to develop within the children a lasting faith commitment. Together we guide them to a meaningful relationship with God, the Father of creation, with Jesus, the Word of God, and with the Holy Spirit, who guides our every action. In school we do this in three main ways:
By creating an atmosphere which pervades the whole life of the school, where the unique value of each person is recognised and respected. The most powerful agent in this process is the example of Christian conduct given by all members of staff in their actions and words and in the relationships they foster.
By creating a structured liturgy appropriate to the age and ability of the children. In partnership with our parish priest, opportunities are created for prayer and liturgy closely matching the liturgical calendar. School masses, assemblies and services of reconciliation are all important elements in our liturgy.
By delivering a planned programme of Religious Education. We use ‘The Vine and Branches’ scheme in Y1 - 6 and follow the Religious Education Directory in Reception, to provide the basis for teaching the doctrines of the Catholic Church. The children explore the religious dimensions of questions about life, dignity and purpose within the Catholic tradition. Links are made with the pupils’ own experiences and with the other faith traditions.
The branches are:
Branch 1: Creation and Covenant
Branch 2: Prophecy and promise
Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem
Branch 4: Desert to Garden
Branch 5: To the ends of the Earth
Branch 6: Dialogue and Encounter
It is a spiral curriculum enabling pupil’s understanding to deepen throughout their school journey (see attached file)
We invite all to join us on our journey, welcoming children and families and regularly learning about other faiths and cultures.
Celebration of Worship
We believe that Christian worship in a Catholic school is concerned with giving glory, honour, praise and thanks to God. It is our loving response in word and action to God’s invitation to enter into a relationship with God made possible through the work of Jesus Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit. Worship is seen as an essential part of Religious experience and is therefore an integral part of our school day. We aim to actively involve children in ways which are suited to their age and stage of personal, social and religious development. Worship may take a variety of forms:
Whole School Masses
Celebrations
Whole School Celebration Assemblies
Class Liturgies/Masses
Reconciliation Services
Experience on residential visits
In all of our liturgies we try to make use of artefacts and visual aids which enhance the spiritual awareness of our children.
Assemblies
A whole school Celebration of the Word is held at the beginning of each school week, Key Stage celebrations take place on Wednesdays followed by a celebration assembly on a Friday.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Reconciliation services take place during the seasons of Advent and Lent. The celebration includes readings, prayers and songs and time for quiet reflection.
Class Liturgies
Within the classroom setting, celebration of the word may focus on seasonal events or themes selected by the pupils. Daily prayers are said in each class, in the morning, before and after lunch and at home time. These will involve traditional and spontaneous prayer with time also given for sacred silence. Each classroom has a focal prayer area. This may include a crucifix, a bible, an image or a special book chosen by the teacher and the children. Children play a vital role in the planning and delivery of lthe Celebration of the Word in school. With increasing independence, across the school, children work in pairs / small groups to choose their own theme then plan appropriate ways to gather pupils together, select scripture, respond to the Word and plan a way to take the message forthm in to their daily lives.
Statements to live by
To help make our distinctive understanding underpin the Catholic life and work of the school, our ‘Statements to live by’ are based on nine guiding principles, rooted in the Christian Faith. The statements are linked to the Church’s Liturgical Year.
