Religious Education
At Holy Family, our Catholic faith is central to everything we do.
We are extremely proud to be an 'Outstanding' Catholic school in which both children and adults are supported and encouraged to develop their own faith and spirituality.
We recognise that our children come from a range of backgrounds and abilities. As such, we are sensitive to each child's life experiences and value their individual contribution to school life.
We truly believe that every child in our care is made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, our aim in the teaching of Religious Education is to bring our children to a deep, living, active and personal faith related to their own lives and experiences.
As teachers, we strive to ensure that our whole curriculum, our moral values and our relationships stem from the Gospel values and that our children are continually reminded of God's loving presence in all that we do.
Teaching and Learning
Religious Education - Intent
The Catholic nature of Holy Family Catholic Primary and Nursery School is central to our philosophy and informs every aspect of the life of the school. Our school has a vital role in providing support in our community and an environment for all which is caring yet challenging, where children are able to witness and learn about how Gospel values may be lived in today's world. Holy Family recognises the real importance of good religious education in the life of each child and the central role that our school plays in this. Children will learn about the Catholic faith and how the Grace of God is gifted to us all. They will study passages and stories from the Bible in order to relate them to their own lives. Children will be encouraged to ask questions and express opinions around liturgical themes, whilst acknowledging and valuing the opinions of others.
All children will receive daily Celebration of the Word (collective worship) either as a class, a key stage or a whole school assembly, which will be led by various members of the school family including the children themselves.
Religious Education - Implementation
Religious Education (RE) is a core subject within our school and this year, we are beginning to implement the new scheme written by the Diocese to meet the outcomes set in ‘The New Religious Education Directory 2023.' The RE scheme is modified at times to fit in with specific liturgical celebrations and feast days. RE is a core subject and has at least 10% of curriculum time allocated each week. Curriculum hours in RE are non-negotiable and will be taught by all staff in the school. Each year group will study a number of units over the year. The units are developmental, building on previous knowledge and experience and taking into account of the children’s age and understanding.
Children are highly engaged in RE lessons through the use of a variety of sources such as religious stories, scripture, religious artwork, songs, music and religious signs and symbols. All children receive daily Celebration of the Word which will be led by various community members including children. Pupils will participate in Mass, Feast Days, Holy Days, and Collective Worship which will involve religious actions and worship including the celebration of the Sacraments. In term 6 of the academic year all children will learn about other faiths.
At Holy Family we have many mixed aged classes which means that we follow a 2-year rolling cycle so by the end of KS1 all children will have been taught all objectives for Years 1 and 2, by the end of Years 4 all children will have been taught all objectives for Years 3 and 4 and by the end of Year 6 all children will have been taught all objectives for Years 5 and 6.
Assessment for learning (AfL) is ongoing through lessons for each year group. Unit Objective Assessment Sheets are available to support teachers in making sure children have reached the intended outcomes. At specific points during the year, moderation of children’s work through phase group, key stage and whole school will take place after each ‘assessed’ unit, to ensure data is accurate.
Religious Education - Impact
Through RE, children will have deepened their appreciation of their faith in order to fulfil their God-given talents. All children will have experienced a wide-ranging number of learning challenges and know appropriate responses to them.
Children of all abilities and backgrounds achieve well in RE, reflected in strong progress that reveals a clear learning journey. Children will talk enthusiastically about their learning in RE and are eager to further their learning in the next stages of their education. Fundamental British Values are evident in RE and children understand how RE can celebrate difference. Children live their faith in an active and positive way, always aware of the presence and love of Christ guiding them. Children are confident, resilient and actively engaged in the wider society. Children are able to define, describe and discuss areas of RE. They confidently use skills such as retelling, describing, comparing, giving reasons, explaining the meaning of Biblical stories and considering the impact of beliefs. Children will have the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Gospel message to enable them to progress well as they move on to Key Stage 3.
New Religious Education Directory 2023 - To Know You More Clearly
In line with Diocesan directives, Holy Family has begun to implement this scheme across all year groups.
Throughout 2024-26 'To Know You More Clearly,' will be rolled out across EYFS, KS1 and KS2. It is an innovative and enriching new Religious Education program that seeks to deepen the spiritual journey of students by fostering a profound understanding of Catholic teachings and values.
This program goes beyond the traditional curriculum, encouraging students to explore their faith through a lens of curiosity and introspection. Through engaging lessons, thoughtful reflections, and interactive activities, "To Know You More Clearly" creates a dynamic learning environment that encourages students to connect with their spirituality on a personal level.
This program not only imparts knowledge but also cultivates a genuine and enduring relationship with God, contributing to the overall spiritual development of the students.
Scripture is the foundation of each Branch and will develop knowledge, understanding, skills, compassion and awe and wonder across the curriculum.
There are a total of 6 branches taught across the academic year: Creation and Covenant, Prophecy and Promise, From Galilee to Jerusalem, From Desert to Garden, To the Ends of the Earth and Dialogue and Encounter.
The information below gives an overview of the first ‘branch’ being taught during Autumn 1– Creation and Covenant
In EYFS, the children begin by learning that God made each of us. Children explore how families are a gift from God and that we show love in our families towards each other. The children recognise that God created everything and said it was good. Children take time to explore what good means and that all creation is good, should be cherished and looked after. They reflect on how they can look after our beautiful world and how we are asked to show stewardship to God’s creations. Finally, the children learn about the Sacrament of Baptism and how we celebrate becoming part of God’s family through this special sacrament.
Years 1 and 2 (Focusing on Year 1 Outcomes)*
In this first branch, Creation and Covenant, pupils will consider how the world exists and how all that is came to be. They will learn about the Christian belief that all that exists comes from God, the Creator, who Christians call Father, and that this belief is found in Scripture. The children will learn to recognise that it is a story about how God reveals his love, not a scientific account. Children will hear the opening words of the Nicene Creed as they express the belief that all that is comes from God, who created all that is seen, and all that is unseen. All pupils will be invited to reflect on what prayer means for them in their lives. Finally, children will reflect on the message in Laudato Si and how we all need to take care of God’s creation.
Years 3 and 4 (Focusing on Year 3 outcomes)*
In Years 3 and 4, the children begin by learning that the Creation stories in Genesis use symbolism to explain the relationship between God, human beings, and the world. They reflect on the notion that without God, our lives are empty, chaotic and lack purpose. The children read prayers, poems and psalms about creation, acknowledging the meaning behind them and reflecting on what is wonderful about our world. They also reflect on how the praise of Creation is reflected in St Francis’s Canticle of the Creatures before understanding what it means to be a steward of creation. Children then recognise that in Laudato Si’, Pope Francis teaches that human beings are called to have a loving relationship with God, with each other, and with the world.
Years 5 and 6 (Working on Year 4 outcomes)*
In this unit of study, pupils will explore the historical, cultural, and religious context out of which Abraham was called. They will think about the historical context of biblical stories and that God’s covenant with Abraham. is the foundation of the faith of the people of the Old and New Testaments: Judaism and Christianity. They will also discuss how faith is believing in God, trusting what God reveals, and following God’s loving purpose to live a good life. They will explore the lives of the faithful and how through living out virtues of faith, hope, and love (sometimes referred to as charity), Christians are drawn into a closer relationship with the Holy Trinity.
Prayer Life
At Holy Family, we help our pupils to develop a reverential attitude in their prayer life and to make prayer a natural part of their daily lives. Children are exposed to a variety of prayer experiences, both formal and informal, private and communal. Children are encouraged to take an active part in school Masses and daily Celebration of the Word, including the preparation of readings and prayers.
Other Faiths
Community cohesion is central to our Christian faith and we value the rich and diverse community of Holy Family. We are committed to developing an ethos of respect for other faiths and welcome the contribution made by those of other religious beliefs. Through our curriculum, the children learn about the beliefs and rituals of Judaism, Hinduism and Islam and we provide opportunities to recognise other religious festivals throughout the year. Our outward looking and inclusive philosophy fosters an understanding of the many blessings of the world around us.
2024 newham faith calendar red.pdf
Relationship and Health Education (RHE)
Life to the Full Plus
Following a consultation with teachers, parents and governors in 2020, the school decided to adopt the programme, Life to the Full (now called Life to the Full Plus), produced by the Catholic educational organisation, Ten Ten Resources. See PSHE and RHE tab for further information.