Subject Leaders (2024-2025): Mr S Penberthy and Mrs E McDonagh 

The Christian vision of St. Mary's C of E Primary Academy is extremely important to us. In December 2021 we redefined our school vision as we wanted it to be our guide and be the driving force that we use to improve and transform our school. 

Our Vision Statement 

Develop the individual light in every student, so they can learn as much as possible and reach their unique potential. We want to ignite curiosity through our curriculum and create a culture of gratitude and good deeds. With hope and humility we want our students to take on the world and make it a better place. 

When developing the vision I was impressed by the verse of scripture in Mark 5 verse 16 'Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' We know that just one tiny candle can light up the darkest place and at St Mary's we want to let our light shine. 

RE at St Mary's

St Mary's is committed to delivering a diverse, creative and informative RE curriculum. We follow the Leeds Diocese curriculum. As part of this we plan our teaching and learning in RE around several units:

• Understanding Christianity 
• World views (other religions)
• Thematic units

Intent

At St. Mary's C of E Primary Academy we want all our children in RE to:

Learn as much as possible about both Christianity and other world views to become well around and informed citizens that have respect for the beliefs and cultures of others.

Ignite curiosity about what others belief through visits to places of worship and the use of religious artefacts.

Have hope and humility for everyone we encounter, especially those who are different to us. Complete good deed to make our community a better place for all and be thankful for all we have by showing gratitude in all we do.

Implementation

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in RE, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. RE is taught weekly and ensure that all children receive their legal entitlement of religious education. St Mary’s is a VA school and therefore follows the Leeds agreed RE syllabus. We aim to ensure that RE is viewed as just as important of ‘core subjects’.

We aim to do this by:

• New RE lead
• Reviewed curriculum structure
• Introduction of RE skills spine
• Skills sheet for each key stage to show progression across the whole of the primary years – this will be placed in ‘big books’
• Creative means of assessment.
• Increase involvement of the ‘faith council’
• Within lessons:
• Fun and engaging lessons – teachers to aim to add in more creative activities and no rely on ‘English based’ tasks
• Use of ‘big books’
• Real life experiences and trips to consolidate learning/ provide engaging hook
• Place emphasis on what children can discuss and verbally articulate enabling all children to achieve (especially those who may find English/ recording difficult)
• Increased usage of ‘Understanding Christianity’ resources 

 

Impact

The children at St Mary’s enjoy learning about other religions and why people choose, or choose not to follow a religion. Through their R.E. learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life. As such, R.E. is invaluable in an ever changing and shrinking world.

 In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes – quality of big books
• Interaction within lessons and other RE linked activities such as collective worship
• Pupil voice – enjoyment & engagement.
• Impact of ‘faith council’