Religious Education at Our Lady & St Kenelm's 

Religious Education Directory- 

To Know You More Clearly

Discerning Disciples is the religious education curriculum for Catholic primary schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. It has been developed in full accordance with the Religious Education Directory (RED), the curriculum directory issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales which sets out what pupils in Catholic schools should know, understand, and be able to do in religious education.

The new RED consists of six branches taught half-termly: 

• Creation and Covenant 
• Prophecy and Promise
• Galilee to Jerusalem
• Desert to Garden
• To the Ends of the Earth
• Dialogue and Encounter

Within each branch are the four knowledge lenses, taken directly from the four parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Hear, Believe, Celebrate and Live. Each lens reflects the language of the Catechism itself, which states that the mystery of faith which we hear and receive requires us to ‘believe in it’, to ‘celebrate it’ and to ‘live from it’. All our lessons begin with 'Hear', where our children listen to the Word of God, directly from the Bible. 

The curriculum supports the shared mission of our diocesan family of schools: forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice.

Across these branches, pupils encounter Sacred Scripture, deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and teaching, study prayer, liturgy, and the sacraments, and consider how faith is lived in the world. Through Dialogue and Encounter, they also learn about other faiths and religions, and develop the knowledge, understanding, and dispositions needed for respectful dialogue.

At the heart of Discerning Disciples are the RED's three ways of knowing: understand, discern and respond. Pupils are therefore encouraged not simply to acquire religious knowledge, but to think deeply about what they learn, make connections, consider different perspectives and make thoughtful judgements. In doing so, religious education helps pupils to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding and to reflect on how what they learn might shape the way they live.

Intent

At Our Lady & St Kenelm Catholic Primary School, Religious Education is at the centre of school life and underpins all that we do. Through the Diocese of Birmingham’s Discerning Disciples programme, we seek to develop children who know that they are loved by God and are called to live out the Gospel values in their everyday lives.

Our mission is to nurture pupils who are compassionate, reflective and active members of the Church and wider community. Through Religious Education, we aim to foster a lifelong relationship with God and equip children with the knowledge, skills and understanding to engage confidently with matters of faith.

At OLSK, we aim to:

• Develop children’s knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, traditions and teachings.
• Encourage pupils to encounter Jesus Christ through Scripture, prayer and worship.
• Promote religious literacy and enable children to articulate their beliefs and understanding with confidence.
• Inspire pupils to become active disciples, living out the values of love, justice and service.
• Encourage curiosity, reflection and theological thinking.
• Ensure all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged pupils, are fully included and able to flourish within the RE curriculum.
• Foster an appreciation of other faiths and cultures, promoting respect and understanding within our diverse society.
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Our Intent in Religious Education is Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching

At OLSK, we believe:

• Every child is created in the image and likeness of God and has inherent dignity and worth.
• Faith calls us to work for the common good and to serve those most in need.
• Our school community is strengthened through solidarity, compassion and mutual respect.
• Participation in prayer, worship and acts of service enables all children to grow as disciples of Christ.
• Religious Education empowers children to become thoughtful, responsible citizens who seek to make a positive difference in the world.
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Implementation

OLSK follows the Discerning Disciples programme developed by the Archdiocese of Birmingham. This programme provides a progressive and engaging curriculum rooted in Scripture, Catholic tradition and the lived experience of the Church.

The curriculum is structured around six branches:

• Creation and Covenant
• Prophecy and Promise
• Galilee to Jerusalem
• Desert to Garden
• To the Ends of the Earth
• Dialogue and Encounter

At OLSK:

• Religious Education is taught as a core subject and is given prominence throughout the school.
• Teachers use the Diocese’s planning, resources and assessment materials to ensure consistency and progression.
• Lessons provide opportunities for theological discussion, reflection and the exploration of big questions.
• Prayer and liturgy are integral to the school day and closely linked to classroom learning.
• Catholic Social Teaching is explicitly taught and embedded across the curriculum.
• Children participate regularly in Mass, class liturgies, retreats and charitable activities.
• Adaptive teaching strategies are used to ensure that all pupils can access the curriculum and achieve success.
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Assessment is continuous and informs future planning, enabling teachers to identify strengths, address misconceptions and celebrate pupils’ achievements in Religious Education.

Impact

Through the Discerning Disciples programme, pupils at OLSK develop a secure understanding of the Catholic faith and are equipped to live as active disciples in the modern world.

As a result, our pupils:

• Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of Catholic beliefs and traditions.
• Speak confidently about their faith using appropriate religious vocabulary.
• Show compassion, empathy and respect towards others.
• Understand and apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
• Participate enthusiastically in prayer, worship and acts of service.
• Reflect thoughtfully on questions of meaning, purpose and belief.
• Recognise their responsibility to contribute positively to their school, parish and wider community.

Children leave OLSK as confident, compassionate and reflective individuals who understand that they are loved by God and called to use their gifts in the service of others.

Through Discerning Disciples, we are nurturing young people who are prepared not only for the next stage of their education but for a lifetime of faith, service and discipleship.