Curriculum branches are the way that the programme of study presents its model curriculum. The model curriculum presents the expected outcomes in six curriculum branches . The model curriculum is rooted in the narrative of salvation history and leads pupils on a journey in each year of schooling that gives a sequence to the learning. As they revisit each branch in each year of school they come to a deeper understanding of its significance for Catholic belief and practice, which allows them to make links between the four knowledge lenses within the context of the narrative of salvation history.
At St Mary’s we have also agreed on ‘child-friendly’ REVE branch topics (see table above) to go alongside the main branches in order to support pupils’ understanding from Nursery to Year 6.
Ways of Knowing set out the skills that pupils should be developing as they progress through their curriculum journey. We want the children to ‘know’ about their faith in more than one way; we want them to be able to understand, to discern and to respond ( denoted in the programme by the head, heart and hands icons.)
Knowledge lenses set out the object of study for pupils and indicate what should be ‘known’ by the end of each age-phase. They are referred to as lenses because they are things that we are looking at and they divide the content into four sub-sections for the study of Catholicism ( Hear, Believe, Celebrate, Live) and two additional lenses for the study of other religions and world views (Dialogue and Encounter.)
Sample Religion, Values and Ethics planning ideas:-
The Governing body Mission and Purpose Committee meet at least three times a year to discuss the Catholic life of the school, the RE Curriculum offer and the school’s outreach and mission opportunities which they report back to governors at the full governing body meetings. Governors are invited to school Masses, celebrations and learning walks. The Chair of the Mission and Purpose committee is Mrs L Robertson.