Religious Education

We recognise Religious Education (R.E.) as a core subject, centred on the Manchester Diocese ‘Questful RE’ Syllabus and ‘Understanding Christianity’. Our children’s experience of high quality Religious Education is central to the living out of our  school mission statement, vision and values which are explicit expression of who we are and what we believe.

Quality RE has the potential, more than any other subject, to have the most powerful and lasting effect on a child’s heart and mind. RE combines academic rigour with the development of the character and spirit of the child providing opportunities for spiritual development and personal reflection. It develops children’s knowledge and understanding of the nature of religion and belief, it provokes challenging questions about meaning and purpose, truth and values, identity and belonging. RE prepares children for citizenship in today’s diverse society. It enables them to develop sensitivity to, and respect for, others. Quality RE breaks down barriers and builds communities. At its best RE offers pupils authentic encounters with living faith communities equipping them with the ability to hold an informed conversation about religious beliefs and practices

Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is threaded into all we do. Pupils show themselves to be deep thinkers. They are able to empathise with the feelings and actions of others, seeing points of views and beliefs other than their own. Particularly in RE and PSHE, they show a keen interest in ethical issues and are able to apply their personal values to situations, giving reasons for their decisions and actions. They are ready to question arguments and situations.

Teaching staff at St. Catherine’s provide PSHE by building on the content of the HEARTSMART materials, with compliments from visitors from the community and whole school approaches to themes such as bullying, drugs awareness, internet safety and British values. In addition to this children in upper Key Stage 2 receive standalone sessions focused on their changing bodies and sex education.

HEARTSMART is designed to support children to build resilience, emotional intelligence and active empathy.  It enables children to adopt a growth mind-set whilst maintaining a healthy emotional self. HEARTSMART is about loving and accepting ourselves as well as loving and responding well to others.

In recognising the development of the whole child the pastoral support given to children so they can access the curriculum is strong. The school has various systems which support the emotional and mental well-being of children.