"Be concerned in a spiritual way for education. Where young minds and hearts are shaped in love for the Lord and his Church, in the good, the true and the beautiful.”

Pope Francis

Pupils are developing excellent knowledge, understanding and skills in religious education. They build on prior learning and make very good progress as they journey through the school; consequently, attainment is very high across all phases. Pupils’ religious literacy is very strong throughout all key stages. (Catholic School Inspection April 2023)

Religious Education at St.Joseph's 

Religious Education is central to the life of our school. It promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of the pupils and enables them to become aware of God’s presence in their lives, helping them to foster a caring, Christian attitude towards others.  R.E. also enables pupils to gain knowledge and understanding of the major world faiths, while recognising the many similarities and differences which link these faiths together.  

RE Curriculum

Come and See

Our RE programme, Come and See, is based upon the core resources recommended by the Diocese. The programme aims to raise questions and provide materials for children to reflect on their own experience. It helps them to explore the beliefs and values and the way of life of the Catholic traditions, and of other faith traditions, developing good attitudes and dispositions so that children are instilled with a 'love of learning' and a desire to go on learning.

Each year group from Year 1 to Year 6 have their own list of focus topics to consider throughout the academic year. The topic will coincide with the church calendar however, the depth in which the topic is explored is dependent upon the respective age of the child. For example, during Lent, whilst all children will learn about the plight of Christ, our Early Years children will consider the importance of growing and new life; Key Stage 1 children explore the effect of change and opportunities, with Key Stage 2 children considering the importance of self-discipline, sacrifice, death and new life.

At the heart of the programme is the mystery of God’s self-revelation of love through Jesus Christ. Come and See gives pupils the opportunity to explore the mystery of faith through Scripture and Tradition.

From September 2023 children in Early Years will be following the new Religious Education Directory ‘To know You more clearly’. They will be taught Religious Education through six branches of study. 

Autumn Term

Branch 1: Creation and Covenant

Branch 2: Prophecy and Promise

Spring Term

Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem

Branch 4: Desert to garden

Summer Term

Branch 5: To the ends of the earth

Branch 6: Dialogue and encounter*

Religious Education Assessment Data - 2023

Come and See Resources

RE Leader of Learning - Mrs Singcuenco

Mrs Singcuenco is the RE Lead at St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School and a First Holy Communion Catechist at her Parish Church. 

RE Link Governor - Canon Young

Canon Young is our RE link Governor and the Parish Priest at St. Mary and St. Ethelburga Catholic Church in Barking.

RE Home Learning

During the Covid 19 Lockdown, Religious Education home learning was set in line with the Come and See scheme of work.  We also provided a range of resources through Google Classroom and Evidence Me to supplement the scheme of work to support all of our children. Opportunities for children to complete RE projects with their family were given throughout lockdown. For example, the children submitted pictures of their Easter Garden projects and Upcycling Projects during Laudato Si' Week. In addition to this, we held virtual Daily Collective Acts of Worship as a class and also gave EYFS/KS1 and KS2 to engage in weekly virtual phase group liturgies led by the RE lead. We also provided families with a range of resources to engage in family prayer. 

Diocese of Brentwood - RE Resources