Religious Education: What does it look like?

A Rich and Varied Approach to Teaching and Learning in Religious Education

At St Patrick’s, we have carefully designed our bespoke Religious Education curriculum to incorporate a wide range of teaching and learning strategies that deepen pupils’ religious knowledge, understanding and theological thinking. Rooted in the Religious Education Directory (RED), our approach ensures that learning is purposeful, progressive and aligned with the knowledge, expected outcomes and ways of knowing within each branch. We recognise that children develop deeper understanding when they explore, question, discuss and apply their learning in meaningful contexts.

Role play and drama bring Scripture to life, enabling pupils to explore biblical events, characters and teachings. By considering the actions and motivations of biblical figures, children interpret the meaning of Scripture rather than simply recalling events. For exmaple, dramatising Holy Week deepens understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice, while reenacting parables helps pupils explore the messages within Jesus’ teaching.

Presentations, discussions and debates develop religious literacy and theological thinking. Pupils use accurate religious vocabulary, explain connections between Scripture and Catholic beliefs, and respond to challenging questions. Older pupils consider different viewpoints, justify interpretations and apply Catholic teaching to moral and ethical issues. These approaches support the RED ways of knowing: understand, discern and respond.

Visits to St Mary’s Church are carefully linked to curriculum content, allowing pupils to explore the theological significance of the altar, font, tabernacle, Stations of the Cross and other sacred objects. These experiences strengthen understanding of Baptism, the Eucharist, the sacraments and the liturgical year, helping pupils connect Scripture and Catholic beliefs with religious practices and traditions.

Guest speakers, including our parish priest and an RAF chaplain, enrich learning through expert knowledge and purposeful discussion. Pupils explore vocations, priesthood, chaplaincy and discipleship, developing a deeper understanding of Catholic beliefs and practices while clarifying misconceptions and asking challenging theological questions.

CAFOD resources and activities support the teaching of Catholic Social Teaching, enabling pupils to explore human dignity, stewardship, solidarity, the common good and the preferential option for the poor. Through Scripture and contemporary moral issues, pupils investigate how Catholic teaching informs ethical decisions and develop their ability to apply and evaluate religious knowledge.

Nature School and outdoor learning provide meaningful opportunities to explore Creation and Covenant. Direct experiences of the natural world help pupils understand God as Creator, examine biblical accounts of creation and consider humanity’s responsibility for stewardship. Observation, exploration and reflection develop understanding of creation as God's gift and provide foundations for deeper theological discussions about covenant and responsibility. Arts Week enables pupils to explore religious knowledge creatively, particularly through learning linked to Holy Week and significant biblical stories. Exploring religious artwork, symbolism and artistic representations of Scripture encourages pupils to interpret theological meaning and deepen their understanding of biblical teachings and events.

Throughout our curriculum, these strategies are integral to planned teaching sequences rather than additional activities. Teachers use structured questioning, retrieval practice, discussion, modelling and regular assessment to identify misconceptions and deepen understanding. Key concepts and vocabulary are systematically revisited, ensuring pupils develop increasingly secure and connected religious knowledge.

We ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND and those within our Resourced Provision, access ambitious religious learning. Practical resources, Widgit symbols, Makaton, multisensory experiences, role play and adapted communication approaches remove barriers while maintaining theological expectations. Pupils demonstrate understanding through speech, writing, signing, visual representations, practical responses or augmentative and alternative communication.

Through this carefully structured approach, RE is intellectually challenging, engaging and accessible. The impact is reflected in pupils’ growing ability to recall and explain religious knowledge, use theological vocabulary accurately, interpret Scripture, make connections and respond thoughtfully to Catholic beliefs and teachings. Our aim is for pupils to move beyond recalling religious facts towards developing a deep, coherent and lasting understanding of the Catholic faith, in accordance with the Religious Education Directory.