St Gregory's

RE

With respect for God and united in faith,

we place service before self to inspire hearts and minds.

By achieving together through our love and faith,

we place Christ at the centre of all we do.

RE from Our Children

'We enjoy the fact that we are learning all about God. We love explaining things and having discussions makes us think. Sharing views and opinions is important to us, as well as writing our own prayers and reflections. We also appreciate the reverence in lessons and the children-led liturgies that are separate to R.E, but linked. Writing liturgies, researching and learning about saints are other favourite things'.

Discerning Disciples

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 once a term, with parents, families and parishioners warmly welcomed.

The Catholic RE scheme ‘Discerning Disciples’ 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 Celebrations of the Word during the school year which are timed to coincide with events in the Church’s calendar.

Discerning Disciples is the religious education curriculum for Catholic primary schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. It has been developed in full accordance with the Religious Education Directory (RED), the curriculum directory issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales which sets out what pupils in Catholic schools should know, understand, and be able to do in religious education.

The curriculum supports the shared mission of our diocesan family of schools: forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice.

Discerning Disciples is organised into the six 'branches' of the RED, which align with the Catholic Church's liturgical year

Across these branches, pupils encounter Sacred Scripture, deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and teaching, study prayer, liturgy, and the sacraments, and consider how faith is lived in the world. Through Dialogue and Encounter, they also learn about other faiths and religions, and develop the knowledge, understanding, and dispositions needed for respectful dialogue.

At the heart of Discerning Disciples are the RED's three ways of knowing: understand, discern and respond. Pupils are therefore encouraged not simply to acquire religious knowledge, but to think deeply about what they learn, make connections, consider different perspectives and make thoughtful judgements. In doing so, religious education helps pupils to grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding and to reflect on how what they learn might shape the way they live.

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

Relationships and Family Life (Sex Education) is taught formally in all classes and is integrated into Science and RE. Parents and carers are advised that, in desiring a Catholic education for their child, it is expected that all pupils will participate in RE lessons. Parents and carers have the right to withdraw their children, although this is strongly discouraged, but may be required to supervise their children during this period, if adult supervision is not available.

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 Muslim and Sikh pupils, both within school and the wider local community, who have worked with other schools by leading assemblies during Eid and Ramadan.

Pupils are given the opportunity to visit Alton Castle, an education centre which combines a spiritual retreat with outdoor activities. During Lent and Advent, Celebrations of the Word take place during and after school. These prayer group sessions are led by staff and pupils, whilst after-school prayer sessions are led by a parish Catechist and pupils.

Prayer time whilst at home

Please find opportunities at home to pray.

Click here for ideas and resources for Prayers and RE at Home

School Prayer:

Lord, bless our school
so that working together,
praying and playing together,
we may learn to serve You
and serve one another.
Amen

Sacramental Preparation Dates

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