Religious Education

As a Catholic school, Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and school life. Through our Religious Education programme, pupils develop a deep understanding of the Catholic faith, grow in their relationship with God and learn how to live out Gospel values in their daily lives. Our curriculum supports pupils in becoming thoughtful, compassionate and faith-filled members of the Church and wider community.

At St Richard’s, all year groups follow the Religious Education Directory (RED): To Know You More Clearly. The RED is fully embedded across the school and places the person of Jesus Christ at the centre of learning. Through engaging, rigorous and inspiring teaching, pupils encounter Sacred Scripture, Catholic Tradition and prayer while developing their religious literacy and understanding of the Church’s teachings.

To support the delivery of the RED, we use the Day by Day curriculum resources produced by the Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton Education Service. Developed in collaboration with Early Years and Primary practitioners, these resources are fully aligned with the Religious Education Directory and have received both Canonical Approval from the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton and Catholic Education Service endorsement. They ensure a rich, progressive and academically rigorous approach to Religious Education across all year groups.

The RED Curriculum Themes

Each year, pupils revisit and deepen their understanding of six core branches of study:

• Autumn 1: Creation and Covenant
• Autumn 2: Prophecy and Promise
• Spring 1: Galilee to Jerusalem
• Spring 2: Desert to Garden
• Summer 1: To the Ends of the Earth
• Summer 2: Dialogue and Encounter
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These themes enable pupils to explore the story of salvation, understand their place within God's plan and recognise how faith shapes the lives of Christians today.

Religious Education at St Richard’s extends beyond the classroom through prayer, liturgy, collective worship, sacramental preparation, charitable outreach and service to others. In this way, faith is not only taught but lived, helping every child to grow spiritually, morally and personally as a child of God.

Up-to-date curriculum overviews and planning resources for the Religious Education Directory can be accessed through the Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton Education Service via St Mary's University website. This provides parents and visitors with further information about the curriculum structure and content taught across each branch of study.