Religious Education Curriculum
Religious Education at St Joseph’s
“In the faithful care of St Joseph, Jesus prospered.”
St Joseph’s is a Catholic Primary School. We are one family. We care, we belong, we learn together in faith.
Christ and His teachings are at the centre of all we do. Religious Education (RE) is central to our mission. In RE, children come to know Jesus Christ and the teaching of His Church more clearly. Like Jesus in the home of Nazareth, they grow in knowledge, in faith and in love of God and of one another.
Through a carefully planned curriculum, we aim for children to become religiously literate young people. They will have the knowledge, understanding and skills to think spiritually and theologically, and will understand what religious commitment asks of us in everyday life.
RE is a core subject, taught with the same commitment as English and mathematics. It is taught for at least 10% of curriculum time in every class from Reception to Year 6. This time does not include prayer and liturgy or assemblies.
We work in partnership with parents, our parish of St Mary’s and St Joseph’s, the Diocese of Lancaster and the wider community.
Our Curriculum
All classes from Reception to Year 6 follow the Religious Education Directory, To Know You More Clearly (the RED), published by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in 2023. We plan in line with the Diocese of Lancaster’s guidance.
We teach the RED through the Magister programme, which is written to deliver it. Magister was introduced in 2025–26 and is now the only RE scheme used at St Joseph’s. All RE planning, teaching, Knowledge Organisers and assessment follow the Magister units.
Curriculum branches
The year is organised into six branches, one each half-term, rooted in the story of salvation. Children revisit every branch each year, so their understanding deepens as they move through school.
|
Half-term |
Branch |
What children explore |
|
Autumn 1 |
Creation and Covenant |
God as Creator, and God’s covenant relationship with his people |
|
Autumn 2 |
Prophecy and Promise |
The prophets, Advent and God’s promise of a Saviour |
|
Spring 1 |
Galilee to Jerusalem |
The life, teaching and miracles of Jesus |
|
Spring 2 |
Desert to Garden |
Lent, Holy Week, Easter and the Resurrection |
|
Summer 1 |
To the Ends of the Earth |
Pentecost, the Holy Spirit and the life of the Church |
|
Summer 2 |
Dialogue and Encounter |
Other Christians and other religions and worldviews, and living in respect and dialogue |
Knowledge lenses
The knowledge lenses set out what children study and should know by the end of each age phase. Four lenses cover the Catholic faith: Hear, Believe, Celebrate and Live. The study of other religions and worldviews is covered through the lenses of Dialogue and Encounter.
Ways of knowing
Children develop three ways of knowing as they progress:
- Understand (head) – knowing and remembering what is taught
- Discern (heart) – thinking critically about it and making it their own
- Respond (hands) – putting it into practice
Reception and mixed-age classes
Reception is taught as a separate class and uses the Magister Reception units. Years 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6 are taught as mixed-age classes. Each class follows a two-year rolling programme, so every child is taught the full content for both year groups, with no unit missed or repeated.
|
Class |
2026–27 |
2027–28 |
|
Reception |
Reception curriculum |
Reception curriculum |
|
Year 1 & 2 |
Year 2 curriculum |
Year 1 curriculum |
|
Year 3 & 4 |
Year 4 curriculum |
Year 3 curriculum |
|
Year 5 & 6 |
Year 6 curriculum |
Year 5 curriculum |
How RE Is Taught
Scripture, the teaching of the Church and the life of the liturgical year are at the heart of every RE unit. All pupils are invited to encounter Jesus Christ as the living person at the heart of their study, in a way that respects their own religious identity.
- Children learn through discussion, drama and role play, art, music and poetry, extended writing, reflection and stillness.
- Each unit has a Knowledge Organiser, which children keep in their RE books. It shows the key objectives and expected outcomes for the unit.
- RE homework often involves families, for example talking together about a Scripture passage or a prayer.
- RE links with other subjects, especially RSHE and PSHE.
Every child included
Every child, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, is entitled to a rich and ambitious RE curriculum. Teachers adapt lessons so that every child can experience success, and plan support with our SENDCo where needed.
Children who are not Catholic take part fully in RE and, as far as possible, in the religious life of the school. Only Catholic children receive the Sacraments, and no child is ever asked to profess a faith they do not hold.
Learning about other faiths
Children learn about religions other than their own, which helps them challenge prejudice and show respect for the beliefs of others. As they move through school, they study:
- other Christian denominations and Christian unity
- Judaism
- Islam
- other religions and worldviews, including Dharmic religions in Year 6
RE and prayer and liturgy
RE is an academic subject in its own right. It works alongside our prayer and liturgy and wider Catholic life, but is planned and timetabled separately. What children learn in RE deepens their prayer, and their experience of prayer brings their RE learning to life.
What Our Children Achieve
By the time they leave St Joseph’s, we want our children to:
- know and remember the key stories of Scripture and the central beliefs of the Catholic faith
- use religious vocabulary with confidence and accuracy
- understand how Catholics pray, worship and celebrate the sacraments
- think critically about what they learn and how faith relates to life
- engage respectfully with people of other religions and worldviews
- put their faith into practice in how they treat others and the world
Assessment and reporting
RE assessment looks at what children know, understand and can do. It never assesses faith or the practice of faith.
- Children are assessed against the expected outcomes on each Magister Knowledge Organiser.
- Progress is tracked each half-term, and extra support is put in place where needed.
- Staff check and compare children’s work together after every branch, with other local Catholic primary schools and through the Diocese of Lancaster’s annual moderation.
- Progress in RE is shared with parents in the annual report and at parents’ evenings, in the same way as English and mathematics.
RE is monitored at least twice a year through lesson observations and looking at children’s work and planning. RE, Catholic Life and Mission, and Prayer and Liturgy are inspected by the Catholic Schools Inspectorate.
Useful Links and Documents
- Religious Education Policy 2026–27
- Religious Education Directory: To Know You More Clearly
- RE key vocabulary by year group (see below also included within RE Policy)
- Prayer and Liturgy Policy 2026–27 (link to the school’s Prayer and Liturgy policy page)
- Wednesday Word and Family Prayer Time
- CAFOD resources for families
Contact
If you have any questions about our RE curriculum, please contact Miss Savage, Headteacher and RE Subject Leader, through the school office.
Parents have a legal right to withdraw their child from Religious Education. If you are considering this, please speak to the Headteacher first.
RE Vocabulary by Year Group
For each branch, the key concepts are the three essential words every child should know. The wider vocabulary is what children meet during the branch. In mixed-age classes, children use the vocabulary for the year group content being taught that year.
EYFS
|
Branch |
Key concepts |
Wider vocabulary |
|
Creation and Covenant |
Love; Father; Holy Spirit |
Father; Holy Spirit; love; Son; wonderful; family; world |
|
Prophecy and Promise |
Mary; Nativity; Love |
Mary; love; Nativity; manger; stable; celebrate |
|
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Glory Be; Magi; Celebrate |
Magi; Glory Be; welcome; celebrate; actions; care |
|
Desert to Garden |
Lent; Easter; Holy Week |
Holy Week; Easter; Lent; Good Friday; new life |
|
To the Ends of the Earth |
Holy Spirit; Pentecost; Church |
church; Pentecost; Sunday; Holy Spirit; parish; Good News |
|
Dialogue and Encounter |
Community; Faith; Jesus |
Jesus; parish; faith; community; friend; believe |
Year 1
|
Branch |
Key concepts |
Wider vocabulary |
|
Creation and Covenant |
Creation; Father; Creed |
God; Father; Creation; Our Father; Creed; Pope Francis; Laudato Si’ |
|
Prophecy and Promise |
Annunciation; Hail Mary; Jesus |
Jesus; Bible; Annunciation; Angels; Visitation; Hail Mary; Gloria |
|
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Son of God; Mission; Light |
Light; Presentation; Temple; Mission; Son of God; Candlemas |
|
Desert to Garden |
Lent; Crucifixion; Resurrection |
Temptation; Last Supper; Crucifixion; Resurrection; Ash Wednesday; Lent; Easter; Palm Sunday; Family Fast Day |
|
To the Ends of the Earth |
Holy Spirit; Pentecost; Ascension |
Emmaus; Holy Spirit; Ascension; Pentecost; Church; Glory Be; Gospel |
|
Dialogue and Encounter |
Church; Parish; Judaism |
Christian; Church; Parish; Community; Sign of the Cross; Jew; Judaism; Torah |
Year 2
|
Branch |
Key concepts |
Wider vocabulary |
|
Creation and Covenant |
Covenant; Baptism; Sin |
God; Covenant; Sin; Psalm; Sacraments; Baptism; Father; Bible; Old Testament; New Testament; Noah |
|
Prophecy and Promise |
Advent; Prophet; Annunciation |
Advent; Annunciation; John the Baptist; Magnificat; Prophet; Advent wreath; Isaiah; Zechariah |
|
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Miracle; Parable; Forgiveness |
Baptism; John the Baptist; Miracle; Parable; Temptation; Sin; Forgiveness; Sorrow; Reconciliation |
|
Desert to Garden |
Forgiveness; Reconciliation; Sin |
Forgiveness; Sin; Light; Easter Vigil; Kyrie Eleison; Reconciliation; Water |
|
To the Ends of the Earth |
Holy Spirit; Pentecost; Prayer |
Holy Spirit; Ascension; Pentecost; Prayer; Saul; Fruits of the Spirit; Peace; Self-control |
|
Dialogue and Encounter |
Neighbour; Hebrew; Respect |
Hebrew; Samaritan; Neighbour; Respect; Sabbath; Shabbat; Synagogue; Christian Unity |
Year 3
|
Branch |
Key concepts |
Wider vocabulary |
|
Creation and Covenant |
Creator; Dignity; Genesis |
Genesis; Poetry; Creator; Image and likeness; Dignity; Equality |
|
Prophecy and Promise |
Advent; Joseph; Mass |
Sunday; Advent; Joseph; Mass; Angel; Liturgy of the Word |
|
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Parable; Miracle; Kingdom of God |
Miracle; Parable; Magi; Kingdom of God; Adoration; Epiphany |
|
Desert to Garden |
Last Supper; Eucharist; Mass |
Last Supper; Mass; Sacrament; Eucharist; Communion |
|
To the Ends of the Earth |
Holy Spirit; Pentecost; Discipleship |
Emmaus; Holy Spirit; Pentecost; St Paul; Discipleship; Concluding Rite |
|
Dialogue and Encounter |
Exodus; Islam; Passover |
Exodus; Islam; Passover; Unleavened; Muslim; Ramadan; Sawm; Adhan |
Year 4
|
Branch |
Key concepts |
Wider vocabulary |
|
Creation and Covenant |
Covenant; Faith; Forgiveness |
Covenant; Joseph; Forgiveness; Virtue; Faith; Love; Abraham; Sarah; Isaac; Hope |
|
Prophecy and Promise |
Advent; Prophet; John the Baptist |
Advent; Prophet; John the Baptist; Elijah; Jesse tree; Christ the King |
|
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Messiah; Incarnation; Anointing of the Sick |
Messiah; Christ; Incarnation; Kingdom; Anointing of the Sick; Nicene Creed; Marginalised |
|
Desert to Garden |
Lent; Forgiveness; Sin |
Lent; Holy Week; Parable; Sin; Forgiveness; Mercy; Works of Mercy |
|
To the Ends of the Earth |
Church; Apostles; Creed |
Church; Creed; Mary; Pope; Apostles; Apostolic; People of God; Communion of Saints |
|
Dialogue and Encounter |
Islam; Christian; Common Good |
St Paul; Christian; Common Good; Islam; Damascus; Liturgy; Rite; Five Pillars |
Year 5
|
Branch |
Key concepts |
Wider vocabulary |
|
Creation and Covenant |
Covenant; Exodus; Commandments |
Covenant; Exodus; Moses; Sinai; Commandments; Virtues; Grace |
|
Prophecy and Promise |
Psalm; David; Advent |
Psalm; Advent; Samuel; David; Anointing; Antiphon |
|
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Beatitude; Our Father; Transfiguration |
Our Father; Virtue; Beatitude; Sermon; Petition; Transfiguration |
|
Desert to Garden |
Lent; Sin; Prayer |
Ash Wednesday; Lent; Sin; Prayer; Deadly Sin; Fasting; Conscience; Death; Judgement; Heaven; Hell |
|
To the Ends of the Earth |
Holy Spirit; Confirmation; Discipleship |
Discipleship; Holy Spirit; Anoint; Confirmation; Chrism; Bishop; Baptismal Grace |
|
Dialogue and Encounter |
Bible; Old Testament; Hebrew |
Bible; Old Testament; New Testament; Hebrew; Aramaic; Greek; Tanakh; Shema; Mezuzah |
Year 6
|
Branch |
Key concepts |
Wider vocabulary |
|
Creation and Covenant |
Creation; Fall; Baptism |
Creation; Baptism; Fall; Eden; Evolution; Salvation |
|
Prophecy and Promise |
Mary; Old Testament; Salvation History |
Old Testament; Mary; Magnificat; Salvation history; Fulfilment; Lucan; Matthew; Protagonists; Mother of God; Religious order |
|
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Sacraments; Cana; Lazarus |
Sacraments; Cana; Bethesda; Lazarus |
|
Desert to Garden |
Holy Week; Crucifixion; Stations of the Cross |
Anoint; Crucifixion; Holy Week; Bethany; Discourse; Pilate; Stations of the Cross |
|
To the Ends of the Earth |
Resurrection; Witness; Saint |
Resurrection; Adam; Mary Magdala; Martyr; Witness; Saint; Charity |
|
Dialogue and Encounter |
Common Good; Unity; Dialogue |
Common Good; Dialogue; Worldview; Catholic Social Teaching; Unity; Dharmic; Hinduism; Sikhism; Buddhism; Jainis |
Contact
If you have any questions about our RE curriculum, please contact our RE Lead, Miss Savage, through the school office.
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from RE. If you are considering this, please speak to the headteacher first.