At St Paul's we have a curriculum that keeps the Gospel Values at the centre of everything we do. Religious Education is at the heart of school life and reflects the teachings and values of the Catholic faith. Through Religious Education, pupils are supported to develop a deepening understanding of God’s love, the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the beliefs, practices and traditions of the Catholic Church. The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build religious knowledge and understanding progressively over time.

Teaching is based on The Vine and the Branches programme and is delivered through a thematic approach that is appropriate to pupils’ age and stage of development. Pupils are encouraged to reflect, ask questions and express their understanding thoughtfully and respectfully as their knowledge of faith develops. Religious Education recognises the important role of the school as part of the parish community. Pupils regularly take part in acts of worship and liturgical celebrations and are supported in their preparation for the sacraments as part of their faith journey.

Curriculum overview:

Religious Education follows the The Vine and the Branches programme, developed by the Shrewsbury Diocese which is fully aligned with the Catholic Bishops' Conference Religious Education Directory (RED) entitled "To Know You More Clearly".

The curriculum is organised into a series of branches that are revisited each year. All year groups explore the same branch at the same point in the academic year, allowing pupils to build on prior learning and develop a deeper and more sophisticated understanding as they move through the school. This approach supports continuity, progression and coherence in Religious Education, ensuring that key beliefs, teachings and themes are revisited and explored in age-appropriate ways over time.

Our Religious Education curriculum is inclusive and respectful, enabling pupils to develop an understanding of other faiths and worldviews while nurturing their own spiritual development. By the end of primary school, pupils will have developed a secure understanding of Catholic beliefs and practices, an awareness of other faith traditions and the ability to reflect meaningfully on questions of faith, meaning and purpose.