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At Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School we follow the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s Curriculum Strategy for Religious Education in Catholic Schools called “Learning and Growing as people of God”. The strategy clearly lays out the steps to be taken in RE at each stage of the Primary Years. The strategy is divided into a number of units, usually 12 (A-L), which covers four main areas of study. We then adapt this in order to make our lessons enjoyable and challenging for our children.
As part of the strategy the children learn about what it is to live as Christians today, how the Church is organised from global to parish level and also the opportunities which exist for them to participate in the life of the Church. Throughout the year the children also learn about the Liturgical Seasons and have opportunities to link learning to prayer and reflection. As well as this, they also study both Old and New Testament Scripture
There is a strong Sacramental focus in each year group. In Year 3 children are prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion and in Year 5 and 6 pupils continue on their journey of faith by preparing for Confirmation.
Our parish priest, Father Moses, regularly visits our school. He leads a number of Celebration Masses throughout the year and works closely with the children, guiding their journey of faith and being on hand to help them wherever he can. We also work closely with our Lay Chaplain from Cardinal Wiseman who leads a number of retreat days throughout the year.
We assess the children using the national and diocesan assessment three times a year. Children have the opportunity at the start of each unit to share what they would like to learn and then assess what they feel they have learnt at the end.
The chart below shows the units that are covered in each year group. Many units are re-visited as the children progress through the school. The children build upon their prior knowledge and develop their skills as a result of this
“Learning and Growing as the People of God” An overview
Reception
The Liturgical Year
RC: Advent, RD: Christmas, RG: Lent, RH: Holy Week, RI: Easter, RJ: Pentecost
Scriptural Knowledge
RA: Creation – God’s Gifts, RB: People who care for us*
Celebrating the Sacraments
RB: People who care for us*, RE: Baptism
Living as Christians
RB: People who care for us*, RF: People who help us*
Prayer
RK: Prayer, RL: Continuous Unit
*units which can be tracked through more than one strand
Key Stage 1 – Year 1
The Liturgical Year
1D: Advent, 1E: Christmas, 1H: Lent, 1I: Holy Week, 1J: Easter, 1K: Pentecost
Scriptural Knowledge
1A: Creation, 1B: Families and Celebration*, 1F: Jesus: teacher and healer*. 1L: Sharing Jesus’ life*
Celebrating the Sacraments
1B: Families and Celebration*, 1F: Jesus: teacher and healer*, 1M: Following Jesus today* , 1G: Forgiveness
Living as Christians
1L: Sharing Jesus’ life*, 1M: Following Jesus today*
Prayer
R1C: Prayer
*units which can be tracked through more than one strand
Key Stage 1 – Year 2
The Liturgical Year
2C: Advent, 2D: Christmas,2G: Lent*,2H: Holy Week,2I: Easter, 2J: Pentecost
Scriptural Knowledge
2A: Old Testament: Stories and Prayers*, 2E: Parables/Miracles*
Celebrating the Sacraments
2E: Parables/Miracles*, 2F: Special Celebrations, 2G: Lent*, 2J: Pentecost, 2L: The Mass
Living as Christians
2B: Sharing in the life of Jesus, 2K: Our Church
Prayer
2A: Old Testament: Stories and Prayers*
*units which can be tracked through more than one strand
Key Stage 2 – Year 3
The Liturgical Year
3C: Advent, 3D: Christmas, 3F: Lent, 3H: Holy Week, 3I: Easter, 3K: Pentecost*
Scriptural Knowledge
3E: We listen to God’s word at Mass, 3E: We listen to God’s word at Mass
Celebrating the Sacraments
3A: Belonging – We gather as God’s family*, 3B: Reconciliation, 3E: We listen to God’s word at Mass*, 3J:The Eucharist is a thanksgiving to God, 3K: Pentecost*
Living as Christians
3A: Belonging – We gather as God’s family*
Prayer
3G: Prayer
*units which can be tracked through more than one strand
Key Stage 2 – Year 4
The Liturgical Year
34C: Advent, 4D: Christmas, 4G: Lent, 4H: Holy Week, 4I: Easter
4J: Pentecost
Scriptural Knowledge
4A: Creation & the story of Abraham, 4F: Old Testament: Moses – King David*, 4E: Jesus: Light of the world and beloved Son*
Celebrating the Sacraments
4E: Jesus: Light of the world and beloved Son*, 4F: Old testament: Moses – King David*, 4G: Lent: Living as followers of Jesus today, 4K; Sharing in the Life of Christ*
Living as Christians
4K: Sharing in the life of Christ*, 4L: Special Roles and Responsibilities
Prayer
4B: Jesus teaches us how to pray
*units which can be tracked through more than one strand
Key Stage 2 – Year 5
The Liturgical Year
5C: Advent, 5D: Christmas, 5G: Lent*, 5H: Holy Week*, 5I: Easter
5J: Pentecost*
Scriptural Knowledge
5A:Creation, 5B: Miracles & the Sacrament of the Sick*, 5F: Parables and sayings of Jesus*, 5K: The work of the Apostles
Celebrating the Sacraments
5B: Miracles and the Sacrament of the Sick*, 5E: Baptism, 5G: Lent*, 5H: Holy Week*, 5J: Pentecost*, 5L: Marriage & Holy Orders
Living as Christians
5F: Parables and sayings of Jesus*
Prayer
5B: Miracles & the Sacrament of the Sick*
*units which can be tracked through more than one strand
Key Stage 2 – Year 6
The Liturgical Year
Y6 6C: Advent, 6D: Christmas, 6F: Lent*, 6H: Holy Week, 6I: Easter, 6J: Pentecost*
Scriptural Knowledge
6A:The Story of the People of God, 6B: Followers of Christ*, 6K; Belonging to the Church
Celebrating the Sacraments
6E: Baptism & Confirmation: Celebrations of the Holy Spirit, 6F: Lent*, 6G Prayers in the lives of followers of Christ*, 6J: Pentecost*
Living as Christians
6B: Followers of Christ*, 6K: Belonging to the Church Community, 6L: Celebrating the life of Mary & the Saints*
Prayer
6G Prayers in the lives of followers of Christ*, 6L: Celebrating the life of Mary & the Saints*
*units which can be tracked through more than one strand
