The overall aim of our Religious Education programme is to foster in all our pupils a deep and meaningful relationship with God through an exploration of the Bible, the liturgy, the teaching of the Catholic Church and the witness of Christian living.Our programmes of study are based on the Core Syllabus for Religious Education and the teaching of the Catholic Church.  Topics are explored in KS3 through an experiential approach beginning with the concrete situations in which pupils find themselves, leading to the challenges presented by biblical and Church teaching.

We seek to encourage the pupils not only to know about God but to know God in a personal relationship.  Prayer is an important aspect of our Religious education programme and we hope that our pupils will come to an awareness of God’s presence in their lives and his love for each of them.  There are opportunities to experience various methods of prayer.

It is expected that every pupil who attends St. Mary’s should participate fully in every aspect of the R.E. programme in each school year.

SPECIFIC AIMS OF R.E.

Leading young people into a relationship with God and developing a mature faith involves helping them to acquire the knowledge, skills, understanding, attitudes, values and behaviour which will sustain them in their faith throughout adult life.

The specific aims of the R.E. department are :

• That our pupils will become more aware of their own identity and worth as human beings made in the image of God thus developing their self-esteem and self-respect

• To deepen pupils’ relationship with God the Father through the Son and in the Holy spirit and to express this relationship in prayer, sacraments and worship

• To deepen their sense of belonging to the church, to appreciate and understand its teaching and hence encourage more participation in the life of the church

• To lead pupils to an appreciation of sacred scripture and help them to develop an informed conscience in light of the gospels and church teaching.  Also, that the pupils will live out the gospel values in their lives and become stronger Christians with a mature faith.

• To develop a sense of mission through their baptismal and confirmation pledges and through this to see the value of Christian service and vocation

•  To develop a confident understanding of our own faith along with a tolerance and understanding of other Christian and non-Christian denominations

• To develop an awareness of self and sensitivity to others, to help to develop personal relationships and through this awareness to develop a sense of self-discipline and self-control

• To develop a kindness, care and concern which will make them intolerant of any kind of cruelty to others by word or deed

• To foster a faith in God and the Church which will guide and strengthen them throughout adult life