Religious Education
“Following the example of Jesus, together we learn, love and respect one another to be the best we can be"
St Michael & St John’s Roman is a Catholic Primary School where every person is helped to do their best and to succeed in a place of love, peace and safety, following the teachings of Jesus. Religious Education is at the heart of our school, it is the core of the core, and is more than a National Curriculum subject; it is at the centre of what we do, say and believe.
Our school values are central to school life, and they are linked to Scripture:
Aspirations Philippians 4:13
Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Respect Luke 6:13
Courage Joshua 1:9
Unity Galatians 3:28
RE Policy 2025-2026
Curriculum Scheme
We follow Lighting the Path RE scheme.
Lighting the Path is used as the primary scheme/resource to deliver the RED in our school. It provides structured lesson plans, assessment foci, scripture, tradition, belief, live faith application, and supports progression.
Jesus is at the ‘heart of the programme’ and also at the heart of all we do in school.
Branches
Units/branches in RED are organised in a sequence (“branches” or other structural divisions used in Lighting the Path) which build progressively across Early Years through Year 6. We adopt this sequence to ensure coherence and cumulative skill/knowledge development. The themes are:
- Creation and Covenant
- Prophecy and Promise
- Galilee to Jerusalem
- Desert to Garden
- To the Ends of the Earth
- Dialogue and Encounter
Dialogue and Encounter World faiths are included in the branch.
Knowledge Lenses
The knowledge lenses represent the focus of study for pupils, outlining what they are expected to know by the end of each age phase (5 7, 7 9, and 9 11). There are six knowledge lenses:
- Hear
- Believe
- Celebrate
- Live
- Dialogue
- Encounter
Ways of Knowing
The ways of knowing describe the skills pupils develop as they progress through the RE curriculum. The three ways of knowing are:
- Understand
- Discern
- Respond
Lessons are designed to help pupils understand Catholic teaching, discern its meaning, and respond thoughtfully in their own lives.
RE in Action
Latest RE Inspection Report July 2024
RE 2024-2025
RE 2023-2024
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) offers a way of thinking, being, and seeing the world. It provides a vision for a just society in which the dignity of all people is recognised, and those who are vulnerable are cared for. It consists of Catholic social thought and principles which can be used to reflect on and guide how we relate to one another in our local and global communities. The CARITAS in Action programme is used to teach CST, along with other learning opportunities and resources.
CARITAS themes | Dignity of the human person | Family and community | Solidarity and the common good | Dignity of work | Rights and responsibilities | Option for the poor and vulnerable | Stewardship |
CARITAS in Action Scheme of Work
Catholic Social Teaching
Worship in action
Mass at St Michael & St John's RC Church