As well as seeking to assist parents with the education and religious formation of their children, Catholic schools strive also to be of service to society. Religious education plays its part in this endeavour by enabling all pupils ‘to be confident and secure in their religious faith and knowledgeable and respectful of other religions,’ and so play ‘a crucial role in building a cohesive society’

Religious Education Directory, p.5

 
At St. George’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and faith-filled environment where all pupils, irrespective of their faith background, are encouraged to grow in faith, kindness, and responsibility. Inspired by the values of St. George — courage, faith, leadership and service— and grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, we strive to help each child develop a strong moral foundation, a deep sense of compassion, and a commitment to justice. Through rigour, creativity, and high expectations, we nurture each pupil’s ability to live out these values in their daily lives.

Pupils are developing excellent knowledge, understanding and skills in religious education which exemplifies the learning required by the Religious Education Directory.

(Catholic School Inspectorate, June 2025)

We are following the Diocesan roadmap for implementation of the Religious Education Directory (RED) which all year groups are now using. We supplement the Directory with the knowledge and resources gained through the Diocesan Foundation Stones programme. This is supported through appropriate, staff expertise and creativity and relevant sources such as encyclicals and the Rooted in Love Catholic Social Teaching materials. We intend a Religious Education that covers all aspects of Catholic education and introduces children to other faiths. 

“… pupils are enabled to progress through their learning, fully engaged and using their knowledge, understanding and skills effectively to reflect spiritually and think theologically.  They are adept at relating learning in lessons to their own lives. Pupils use subject-specific vocabulary seamlessly during class discussions.”

(Catholic School Inspectorate, June 2025)

Our Religious Education curriculum focusses on the following key areas:

Courage and resilience in Faith and Learning

Inspired by St. George’s courage and steadfast faith, we encourage pupils to approach both their faith and learning with confidence and resilience. Just as St. George faced challenges with bravery, we support pupils in developing the courage to explore their faith, be inquisitive through asking questions, and face learning challenges with determination.  

Creative Expression in Faith

We provide opportunities for pupils to express their faith through prayer, art, music, computer technology and reflection. By encouraging creative expression, we help pupils deepen their connection with God and live out their beliefs in ways that are meaningful and personal, just as St. George lived his faith through action.

“Rich and creative learning activities enhance pupils’ engagement and allow them to explore their learning through a wide variety of media. Presentation of pupils’ work is meticulous and is of a consistently high standard.”

(Catholic School Inspectorate, June 2025)

Integrity and Moral Development

St. George’s integrity and commitment to doing what is right, regardless of the cost, inspires our approach to teaching moral values. We guide pupils to act with honesty, kindness, and justice, emphasising Catholic Social Teaching’s focus on human dignity and care for the marginalised. Our pupils are encouraged to live with integrity, standing up for what is right and showing compassion to those in need.

Service and Justice for All

Inspired by the example of St. George’s service and commitment to justice, we emphasise the importance of serving others, particularly those who are most in need. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, our RE curriculum challenges pupils to recognise their responsibility to work for justice and peace, treating everyone with respect. Our work in this area is strengthened through our half-termly focus on one of the six Catholic Social Teaching principles, aided by the Rooted in Love resources.

 

Leadership and Personal Responsibility

St. George’s example of leadership and responsibility is central to our approach to develop our pupils’ leadership qualities. We encourage pupils to take responsibility for their actions, become leaders and make positive contributions to the world. By fostering leadership skills and promoting high expectations, we empower our pupils to lead with integrity, courage and love.

In all that we do, we are committed to helping our pupils grow into compassionate, courageous, and faithful individuals, inspired by the values of St. George. We aim to nurture their ability to live out their faith with love, justice, and service, making a positive impact on their community and the world around them.