Religious Education

What RE looks like at St. Paul's

At St. Paul’s, Religious Education is at the heart of our school family. It’s where we explore what it means to live with faith, love and kindness every day. Our RE lessons invite children to think deeply about the world around them, to ask questions, and to discover how Jesus’ teachings can guide their choices and actions. Through stories, art, drama and prayer, pupils learn about the richness of our Catholic faith and how it connects to their own lives. We celebrate together through liturgies, Masses and special feast days, nurturing a sense of belonging and joy. At St. Paul’s, RE helps our children to grow not only in knowledge, but in compassion, respect, and faith — shaping hearts as well as minds.

At St. Paul’s, we believe that Religious Education is not simply one subject among many, but the foundation of the entire educational experience. As a core subject in our Catholic school, Religious Education plays a vital role in supporting evangelisation and catechesis. Its primary purpose, however, is educational, and therefore it is planned, taught, assessed, and monitored with the same rigour as every other area of the curriculum.

Our RE curriculum reflects this commitment. In Years 1–6, we follow The Vine and the Branches, a programme aligned with the new Religious Education Directory (RED), To Know You More Clearly. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children follow the RED model curriculum, ensuring a strong and consistent foundation in faith from the very beginning of their learning journey.

Celebration of the Word

Every Friday morning, each class at St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School gathers for a special celebration of the word, creating a calm and joyful start to the day. During this time, pupils come together to listen to Scripture, reflect on its meaning, and share prayers that connect faith with their everyday experiences. The celebration encourages children to think about how they can live out Gospel values in their words and actions, fostering kindness, respect, and a sense of community. With songs, readings, and moments of quiet reflection, the weekly celebration of the word helps to strengthen the school’s Catholic identity and nurture the spiritual growth of every child.

Enrichment Activities

At St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School, we enrich our Religious Education curriculum with a range of experiences that help children live out their faith in practical, meaningful ways. These opportunities support pupils in developing a deeper understanding of Catholic life, service, and spirituality, while encouraging them to grow as compassionate and confident young people.

Our RE enrichment opportunities include:

• Visits to the Laudato Si’ Centre (Salford Diocese) – Classes spend time exploring the beautiful grounds and eco-spaces, learning how caring for God’s creation is an important part of our Catholic mission. Children take part in workshops and prayerful reflection linked to Pope Francis’ call to protect our common home.

• Sacramental Programme for Year 3 – We work closely with our parish to prepare Year 3 children for receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Through lessons, prayer, and family involvement, children grow in their understanding of God’s love and the importance of these special moments in their faith journey.

• Shrewsbury Youth Mission Days (Worship Leaders) – Our Worship Leaders attend inspiring mission days where they join pupils from other schools for music, prayer, activities, and leadership training. They return to school full of ideas and enthusiasm to help lead worship and support prayer life across the school.

• Faith in Action Group – Older pupils can take part in our Faith in Action group, where they work toward service awards by living out the Gospel through acts of kindness, community projects, fundraising, and reflection. This helps them see how their faith can make a real difference in the world.

Support for Parents

The Wednesday Word

The Wednesday Word is a gift to families because of their connection with a Catholic school.

Wednesday Word Family Time presents an opportunity for even the busiest of parents to enrich relationships with their children through spending a very special 10 minutes together each week.

Every Wednesday a ‘word’, inspired by the coming Sunday’s Gospel, will be suggested for families to talk about in the home. We have structured The Wednesday Word around the Sunday Gospel, because evidence shows that Gospel values really do help family relationships to thrive.

The Wednesday Word Family Time leaflet is designed in a family friendly fashion to ensure that all family members feel included. It aims to be informative, enjoyable, and to help families maintain a special closeness throughout the school years.

Click here to access the Wednesday Word

For more detailed information about the curriculum in each year group, please visit our Curriculum at St. Paul's page.