Religious Education
Religious Education is at the heart of our curriculum and central to our mission of helping children to grow in faith, love and understanding.
Religious Education Directory (RED)
'To Know You More Clearly' is the revised Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools and Colleges. It provides guidance for the RE classroom curriculum in Catholic schools and is statutory from September 2026.
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In implementing the revised Religious Education Curriculum Directory, we will:
- Deliver a curriculum structured around the RED, 'To Know You More Clearly'
- Use the high-quality Westminster Way planning created by Westminster Diocese and other RED-aligned resources to ensure a progressive, theologically sound curriculum across all key stages.
- Embed Catholic Social Teaching and the liturgical year throughout the curriculum, assemblies, prayer life, and school celebrations.
- Engage in regular professional development and support through the Diocese of Westminster to ensure staff confidence and subject expertise.
- Monitor and assess progress in RE using the approved assessment framework, ensuring that all pupils are supported and challenged appropriately.
- Promote cross-curricular links and whole-school themes that reinforce Gospel values and a Catholic worldview.
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Four elements of the RED:
The RED enables our children to develop their understanding and beliefs of God, Jesus and the world around us through stories from the Bible. It is developed through four elements;
- Knowledge lenses
- Ways of knowing
- Expected outcomes
- Curriculum branches
The curriculum consists of six branches, each corresponding to one of the six half-terms in the school year.
How are we implementing the RED at St Thomas'?
We have adopted a phased approach to the Religious Education Directory (RED).
From EYFS to Year 3/4, our children are already enjoying the rich, creative and spiritually engaging learning experiences of the new Religious Education Directory (RED) curriculum. Year 6 will transition to the RED in the summer term 26.
Assessment
Levels of Attainment are used to assess KS1 and KS2 children in Religious Education. Stages are used in EYFS.
As we begin to implement the new RED, our assessment procedures will be reviewed.