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 Curriculum Director 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.

EYFS & Key Stage 1 follow the Lighting the Path programme (Salford Diocese)
Until 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.

Children are encouraged to live out Gospel values – forgiveness, trust, freedom, justice, non-violence, and respect – while celebrating their achievements and talents.

What Pupils Learn

Each term, pupils study two topics (each half a term), following a shared theme across the school.

Autumn Term

Creation and Covenant – exploring God’s creation and His relationship with His people
Prophecy and Promise – discovering how God’s promises are revealed and fulfilled in Jesus

Spring Term

Galilee to Jerusalem – following Jesus’ ministry and journey to Jerusalem
Desert to Garden – reflecting on Lent, Holy Week, and Easter joy

Summer Term

To the Ends of the Earth – learning how the Good News was shared by the early Church
Dialogue and Encounter – exploring respect, understanding, and friendship among all faiths

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

St. Wulstan's Roman Catholic Primary