Religious Education

As a Catholic school, Jesus Christ remains central to every aspect of school life all pupils are educated

in the beliefs and devotional practices of the Catholic Church.

Participation in daily collective act of worship remains at the helm of every morning and afternoon session,

within RE lessons and at the end of each day.

Every class prepares and leads Mass throughout the year, with parents, families and parishioners warmly welcomed.

The Catholic RE scheme ‘Living and Growing as the People of God’ is followed throughout the school. This is supplemented by work on the saints and stories from the Old and New Testaments, Circle time sessions and Personal, Social and Health Education. Children participate in special liturgies during the school year which are timed to coincide with events in the Church’s calendar.

Our parish priest, Father Martin Pratt, works closely with school staff and families, to help prepare year 3 pupils for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, whilst pupils in Year 6 prepare for Confirmation.

All pupils learn about other religions and cultures and are encouraged to show respect and acknowledgement for the beliefs of others through open discussion and shared experiences. This is reflected through the involvement of pupils, both within school and the wider local community.

During Lent and Advent, liturgies take place during the school day.    

These prayer group sessions are led by staff and pupils.

Religious Education (RE) is a core subject at our school and as such has a very high profile. RE lessons are taught using the Scheme of Work for Religious Education produced by the Birmingham Diocesan Education Service, ‘Learning and Growing as the People of God’, from Nursery to Year 6. This is based on Gospel Values and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

The Catholic ethos of our school permeates all areas of the curriculum. We recognise that every child is unique and created in the image of God. It is our aim to develop the whole child; to help them to grow in faith, and to develop as global citizens with a maturing Christian awareness. Our Catholic curriculum teaches the children to be honest, respectful, attentive, compassionate, generous, caring and wise.

Children are prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Communion and Confirmation during Key Stage 2. This is in a three-way partnership between school, Church and home.

Mass is normally celebrated weekly at school, with children from Reception to Year 6 attending. On Saints Days, Holy Days of Obligation and Ash Wednesday, we celebrate Mass at Church. Classes take turns to prepare and lead each Mass. Families are always welcome to join us in the celebration of Mass, whether at school or at Church.

Prayers are said regularly throughout the day, during assemblies, class worship and during RE lessons, where appropriate. Children learn prayers that are said collectively, and have many opportunities to say and write prayers in their own words, and also have some silent time for their own thoughts and prayers. They are also encouraged to write Bidding Prayers for their class Mass.

Morning Prayer

Father in heaven, you love me,

you are with me night and day.

I want to love you always

in all I do and say.

I’ll try to please you, Father,

bless me through the day.

Amen.

Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O God, as we sit together.

Bless the food we eat today.

Bless the hands that made the food.

Bless us, O God.

Amen.

Thank you, God, for the food we have eaten.

Thank you, God, for all our friends.

Thank you, God, for everything.

Thank you God.

Amen.

Prayer at the end of the day

God our Father, I come to say

thank you for your love today.

Thank you for my family

and all the friends you give to me.

Guard me in the dark of night

and in the morning send your light.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee:

blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth,

as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

Amen.