Religious Education

"There is a clear and dynamic vision for religious education which is shared by all staff and governors."

"Teaching is both creative and inspiring and a variety of teaching strategies are used to match pupils' needs. Pupils make rapid progress in their RE lessons."

Section 48 Inspection-May 2022

Religious Education at St Michael & St Martin’s School

This school sees Religious Education as the Core and Foundation of the entire educational process.  Because of this, each child is valued for what he/she is rather than for what he/she can do and every child is given equal opportunity for development to the highest potential.  Through Religious Education we communicate the beliefs and values which should inspire and unify every aspect of school life and the Curriculum.  This gives St Michael & St Martin its distinctive nature as a Catholic School.

Children who become part of St Michael & St Martin School are enabled to be in touch with God, to know his Church and to know the meaning of Discipleship.  We believe that Religious Education is not a subject among many but the foundation of the entire education process.  In addition to studying the Life and Teachings of Jesus, the children study a variety of World Faiths.  This enables our children to understand more about the larger community outside home and school.  We show the similarities rather than the differences.  We have a duty to foster these similarities because God made all men and women to dwell on earth in harmony. 

To help the children develop their knowledge of their faith, the school uses the Dr Margaret Carswell Framework Model, which is taught in a three year cycle and links to the liturgical year. The content of this Model offers a systematic programme of study which comprehensively covers all the strands and requirements of the Curriculum Directory.  Each topic plan ensures progression and depth of provision from the following areas:

• Revelation: Story, Scripture, Memory and Tradition of the Church
• Church: Community, Discipleship, Witness
• Celebration: Sacrament, Ritual, Prayer, Worship, Liturgy
• Life in Christ: Lifestyle, Morality, Values, Attitudes