Religious Education

We aim to create an inclusive Religious Education department where every pupil feels respected and supported.

Our vision is to nurture a deep understanding of the Catholic faith while fostering curiosity and openness toward other beliefs.

We are committed to building pupils' confidence so they can grow spiritually, morally, and intellectually. Through a love of learning and respectful dialogue, we prepare our pupils to engage thoughtfully with the world and contribute positively both inside and outside the classroom.

St Matthew Academy RE Vision

Key Stage 3 Religious Education: Teaching and Learning

The Religious Education department follows the national framework To Know You More Clearly, mapped against the Religious Education Curriculum Directory (3–19) for Catholic Schools and Colleges (RED), to be implemented across all Catholic schools by 2025. This framework supports the spiritual and moral development of all pupils, providing opportunities to explore identity, values, and belief in a respectful and inclusive environment.

Recognising that our pupils come from a rich tapestry of faiths and backgrounds, the curriculum fosters understanding and dialogue, celebrating diversity while deepening awareness of the Catholic tradition. Through age-appropriate and engaging units, learners are introduced to key dimensions of Catholic faith this includes Scripture, Sacraments, Catholic Social Teaching, and the Church’s lived heritage within a context that affirms their own experiences and promotes thoughtful reflection.

At Key Stage 3, the Religious Education Curriculum Directory (RED) is organised through six curriculum branches, each aligned to the academic half-terms and rooted in the unfolding narrative of salvation history. These branches are carefully sequenced to nurture a deepening appreciation of their significance for Catholic beliefs and practices as pupils progress through the key stage:

• Creation and Covenant
• Prophecy and Promise
• Galilee to Jerusalem
• Desert to Garden
• To the Ends of the Earth
• Dialogue and Encounter

Recognising the diverse faiths and backgrounds represented within our community, these branches are accessed through four reflective knowledge lenses- Hear, Believe, Celebrate, and Live. Which invite all pupils to engage meaningfully with themes of faith, identity, and shared values.

Learning is enriched through dynamic pedagogical approaches, including discussion, study, and reflection. Pupils benefit from the use of Chromebooks and assessments, experiencing high-quality teaching strategies that promote active participation, critical thinking, and spiritual growth for all.

Key Stage 4 Religious Education- GCSE- Course A (Catholic Christianity, Judaism and Philosophy)

At St Matthew’s Academy, Religious Education is a core subject for all pupils. Every pupil will complete a full GCSE qualification as part of their Key Stage 4 journey, supporting not only academic development but also personal reflection and ethical reasoning.

The GCSE specification (Course A) is made up of three components, each assessed through a separate examination at the end of Year 11:

• Component 1A: Catholic Christianity
• Component 2F: Judaism – Beliefs, Teachings and Practices
• Component 3A: Philosophy and Ethics

Across these components, pupils explore a wide-ranging and thought-provoking curriculum that encourages critical thinking, evaluation, and respectful dialogue. Topics are approached in ways that recognise and value the diverse beliefs and perspectives within our school community, helping pupils to engage with moral and philosophical questions in a spirit of openness and intellectual curiosity.