Religious Education at St Wulstan’s

At St Wulstan’s, Religious Education is at the heart of everything we do. Through a rich and engaging curriculum, we help children grow in faith, understanding, and love of God, learning to live out the values of the Gospel each day. Our aim is to nurture thoughtful, compassionate young people who see God’s presence in themselves, in others, and in the world around them.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of the Governing body that the school should provide a curriculum and syllabus for Religious Education, which fulfils Diocesan recommendations and corresponds to the current Religious Education Directory for Catholic Schools. As part of the Salford Diocese, St. Wulstan’s follows the teaching and assessment guidelines given in the syllabus Lighting the Path and Salford pilot resources. This is also supported by the scheme Caritas in Action.

Intent

Within our curriculum, we ensure all children are prepared for life, with the skills they need to achieve, aspire and accomplish both academically and spiritually, regardless of their faith, creed or race, meeting every child’s potential and their needs. Our intent is for learning without barriers so that all children can succeed.

Our intent is to meet these needs by:

  • Having Christ at the centre of the St. Wulstan’s R.C. Primary School family and all that we do

  • Establishing close links between home, school and parish to provide the best for all the children

  • Treating every individual child as a unique and valued member of God’s family, so that respect for each other is centred on the Gospel values of justice, tolerance, peace and forgiveness

  • Providing a curriculum that is rich and broad, with high expectations and a culture of challenge for all

  • Providing a RE curriculum appropriate to the needs of all children, from all ethnicities, backgrounds, faiths, and home lives

  • Nurturing a sense of belonging and developing responsibilities as citizens in the local, national, and global community, especially within the Catholic tradition and the Liturgy of the Church

  • Giving children opportunities to develop understanding and tolerance of all faiths, creeds, and cultures, including their own

  • Developing positive links between all stakeholders including the wider community

  • Working with parents in their role as first educators

  • Growing in knowledge and understanding of Jesus’ life and teachings

  • Gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Catholic tradition and the liturgy of the Church

  • Recognising and appreciating the spiritual and religious dimensions of life through feelings of awe, wonder, delight, and joy

  • Examining their own religious feelings, views, and responses

  • Using their knowledge of Jesus Christ’s teachings and example to guide behaviour, work, and play

Programme of Study

Religious Education is an enriching and joyful subject that forms a vital part of children’s faith journey.  In the current academic year:

  • EYFS & Key Stage 1 follow the Lighting the Path (OUP) programme.

  • Until the OUP Key Stage 2 scheme publication in September 2026 we will use:

    • Year 3 Salford Diocese pilot resources for Y3/4 and Y4/5.

    • Year 5 Salford Diocese pilot resources for Y5/6.

 

The curriculum is designed for children of all abilities and supports links between home, school, and parish.

Lessons are creative and engaging, using:

  • Film clips, music, stories, and art.

  • Scripture (printed and digital).

  • Reflection, discussion, and prayer.

At least 10% of curriculum time is dedicated to Religious Education. Lessons are taught with the same rigour as other core subjects while remaining creative and reflective.

What Pupils Learn

The model curriculum has six annual themes, or branches, which map onto the six half terms of the school year.  In each one, children study the Bible and learn about the Catholic worldview lived out in the Catholic Church.   The branches follow the liturgical cycle of the Church’s year.  The spiral structure of the curriculum enables children to build up layers of knowledge, deepening them each year through a growing understanding of scripture, enriched by the Christian tradition of art and music.

 

Autumn Term

  • Creation and Covenant – In this branch, children encounter Bible texts where God creates and calls people.  Children will explore the Christian belief that everything comes from God through the texts of the Book of Genesis and the reflective thought of the Psalms and explore how these texts differ from scientific knowledge. Children will hear accounts of God's love for people expressed in the covenants (promises) found in the Old Testament.

  • Prophecy and Promise – Linking with the Advent season this branch teaches the mystery of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, promised by God. Children will also learn how Christians read the stories of the prophets of the Old Testament and discern how the teaching within these stories point to a fulfilment of God's promise in Jesus.

Spring Term

  • Galilee to Jerusalem – In this branch, children will learn about the ministry of Jesus and travel with different gospel writers as they hear different accounts of Jesus' life, listen to parables and learn how Jesus' teaching underpins Christian beliefs and actions through the work of the Catholic Church today.

  • Desert to Garden – Children study the liturgical season of Lent in this branch, the events of Holy Week, culminating in the death of Jesus on the cross.  The branch ends in the Garden of the Resurrection, where children will learn about the risen Jesus and the centrality of this event to Christian life.

Summer Term

  • To the Ends of the Earth – In this branch, children will hear about the events that flow from the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, the actions of the Apostles and the establishment of the early Church. They will make links between the liturgy, sacraments and structures of the Catholic Church today and its foundations in the world of the Apostles.

  • Dialogue and Encounter – In this term, children will learn about Christianity as a global religion.  They will encounter different faiths and learn how all people can work together to promote the common good.

 

Sacramental Preparation

All Sacramental Preparation takes place in school, led by Miss Hadfield. R.E. lessons help children prepare for the sacraments and grow spiritually. This preparation supports children in:

  • Understanding the meaning and importance of the sacraments

  • Developing knowledge of the Catholic tradition and liturgy

  • Building a deeper relationship with God and the Church community

Click here for more information about Sacramental Preparation at St Wulstan’s.

 

Faith in Action

Children are at different stages in their faith journey:

  • For some, R.E. deepens an existing faith

  • For others, it is their first encounter with the Good News

Together, we create a community where faith is lived, shared, and celebrated every day.

Religious Education helps children grow in confidence, curiosity, and compassion, guided by the love of Christ in learning, relationships, and service to others.

St. Wulstan's Religious Education Intent, Implementation and Impact Statement

R.E. Curriculum Overview 2025-2026

Prayer Progression