At St Mary’s we follow the Religious Education Scheme as set out by the Archdiocese of Liverpool.  It is called COME AND SEE. 

It follows the theological foundations of the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Catechism and the revised RE Curriculum Directory and includes the Catholic attainment levels.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church addresses the search for meaning in life. God’s initiative in Revelation who comes to meet us and our response of faith. (cf. CCC26) This pattern guides the structure of the programme and informs the process of each topic, opened up through - Explore, Reveal and Respond.

As well as the class topics, each year group will teach two other faiths at different stages and these will also be run on a two year cycle.  The faiths will  be selected from: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism or Sikhism. 

Foundation Stage

Myself - I will know that God knows and loves everyone

Welcome- I will know about Baptism and its welcome into God's family

Birthday -  I will understand Jesus' birthday and how people look forward to it

Celebrating - I will understand how people celebrate in Church

Gathering - I will understand how the parish family gather to celebrate the Eucharist

Growing - I will understand about Easter

Good News - I will understand how to pass on the Good News of Jesus

Friends - I will understand friends of Jesus

Our World - I will understand God's wonderful world

Year 1 & 2 (A)

Beginnings - God is present in every beginning

Signs and Symbols - Signs and symbols in Baptism

Preparations - Advent: preparing to celebrate Christmas

Books - The books used in Church

Thanksgiving - Mass, a special time to thank God

Opportunities - Lent: an opportunity to start a new

Spread the Word - Pentecost: a time to spread the Good news

Rules -Reasons for rules in the Christian family

Treasures - God's treasure: the world

Year 1 & 2 (B)

Families - God's love and care for every family

Belonging - Baptism: an invitation o belong to God's family

Waiting - Advent: a time to look forward to Christmas

Special People -  People in the parish family

Meals - Mass, Jesus' special meal

Change - Lent: a time for change

Holidays and Holydays - Pentecost: feast of the  Holy Spirit

Being Sorry - God helps us choose well

Neighbours - Neighbours share God's world

Year 3 & 4 (A)

People - The family of God in Scripture 

Called - Confirmation: a call to witness

Gift - God's gift of love and friendship in Jesus

Community - Life in the local Christian community and ministries in the parish

Giving and Receiving - Living in communion

Self Discipline - Celebrating growth and new life

New Life - To hear and live the Easter message

Building Bridges - Admitting wrong, being reconciled with God and each other

God’s People - Different saints show people what God is like

Year 3 & 4 (B)

Homes - God's vision for every family

Promises - Promises made at Baptism

Visitors - Waiting for the coming of Jesus

Journeys - Christian family's journey with Christ

Listening and Sharing - Jesus gives himself to us

Giving All - Lent: remembering Jesus' total giving

Energy - Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Choices - Importance of examination and conscience

Special Places - Holy places for Jesus and the Christian community

Year 5 & 6 (A)

Loving -  God who never stops loving

Vocation and Commitment - The vocation of priesthood and religious life

Expectations - Jesus born to show God to the world

Sources - The Bible, the special book for the Church

Unity - Eucharist enabling people to live in communion 

Death and New Life - Celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection

Witnesses - The Holy Spirit enables people to become witnesses

Healing - Sacrament of the sick

Common Good - Work of the worldwide Christian family

Year 5 & 6 (B)

Ourselves - Created in the image and likeness of God

Life Choices - Marriage, commitment and service

Hope - Advent: waiting in the joyful hope for Jesus, the promised one

Mission - Continuing Jesus' mission in diocese (ecumenism)

Memorial Sacrifice -Eucharist as the living memorial of Christ's sacrifice

Sacrifice- Lent: a time of aligning with the sacrifice made by Jesus

Transformation - Celebration of the Spirit's transforming power

Freedom and Responsibility - Commandments enable Christians to be free and responsible

Stewardship - The Church is called to the stewardship of creation

RELATIONSHIPS AND SEX EDUCATION (RSE)

At St. Mary's, we will be teaching the program 'A Journey in Love' as requested by the Archdiocese.  Below is all the information parents will need.  A letter will be sent out at the beginning of the new school year and parents will be directed to the website.   

A Journey in Love is a resource created by Sister Jude Groden of BRES.  It is the recommended programme of study for Catholic schools for Relationship and Sex Education, and has been written as a progressive scheme of work that supports the Religious Education, PSHE and Science curricula taught within the school. 

As children progress through school, they discover more and more about themselves and the wider world.  This thirst for learning new things in all aspects of life is fostered by the school, who attempt to create a safe, stimulating environment for learning; supporting all children in their development.  Our mission statement which drives the school, attempts to achieve this goal following the Gospel values of truth and respect, understanding our journey as children of God, both special and unique.

Central to our work within the school is learning about our faith, including understanding ourselves, our position in our community and how we develop as human beings - our spiritual, social, emotional and physical development.  This is how A Journey in Love fits in to the school’s curriculum.  The scheme permeates through all levels of learning throughout the school.  It focuses on friendship, family, community, relationships and spirituality; a guide to the children’s development as young Catholics.

As you would expect, not all issues related to personal development are covered by the end of Year 6.  The content is age appropriate and is taught with sensitivity, taking into account the children’s level of maturity in regard to the delivery of the lessons.

As with all aspects of learning, children are naturally curious and many will have questions related to their lessons.  Opportunities to discuss questions form part of the lessons and, again, these are treated with care and understanding.