Religious Education is obviously an important part of the school curriculum as well as every day life at All Saints’. Since September 2012 we have been using a new scheme, Come and See, throughout the school. We place great importance on providing opportunities for everyone within the school community to continue their personal Faith journey. During the school year there are many opportunities for the children to take part in school worship through assemblies, Mass and other celebrations.
The Governors are required to remind parents of their right to withdraw pupils from religious worship and education. However parents are also reminded that the school exists to give a Catholic/Christian education to its pupils and therefore parents are expected to be in sympathy with the aims and objectives of the school. It should be noted that parents who choose to exercise their right of withdrawal are responsible for the supervision of their children during these periods of withdrawal.
Come and See Year Overview 2015-16
Collective Worship
Children take part in daily collective worship. Children worship in whole school or class groups. Through collective worship children develop an understanding of the structure and purpose of liturgy, explore the Gospels with reference to aspects of moral and social teachings and are encouraged to reflect and respond. We usually use ‘Statements to Live By’ as the focus of our whole school collective worship on a Monday morning, along with celebrating important Feast Days or National Events such as Remembrance Day. Children regularly prepare and lead their own worship and parents are regularly invited to join their children for whole school liturgies and masses.
The Sacraments
The children usually receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist during Year Three as part of the First Communion Programme organised and run by our Parish Catechists. Although this is a Parish led programme, we believe in the importance of the School, Home and Parish partnership in the preparation of the children for these important Sacraments and give our full support wherever possible. The children usually receive the Sacraments with their own family, together with the Parish community.
Education in Relationships
Although Sex and Relationship Education is only statutory for Secondary schools, we introduce the teaching of personal relationships through Religious Education, because it is concerned with the person as a whole. Through Science, RE and PSHE, we aim to make the children aware of the changes which take place both emotionally and physically as they mature. We aim to do this in a caring and supportive atmosphere, linking this knowledge to an understanding of God’s plan for our growth and personal relationship with Him.
