Religious Education Policy

'The principal aim of RE in church schools is to aid pupils on their spiritual journey'

(Board of Education minutes. 19 March 1992)

Saint Peter's C.E. Mission Statement

As a Church school we are part of the witness of the Church in service to the community. We aim to provide a Christian foundation, based on the traditional Anglican doctrine, through which our children can discover a faith on which to build their lives.

We aim to provide our children with the opportunity to fully develop their abilities and skills in all areas of the curriculum, with a special emphasis on the moral, spiritual and social aspects of school life.

We aim to develop an effective and positive partnership between home, school and the Church and encourage a sense of worth in everybody involved in the school community.

Although we expect the Christian character of Saint Peter's to permeate all areas of school life, the R.E. curriculum is central to the goal of helping our children to develop an understanding of the beliefs and practices of the Christian faith. Through Religious Education we aim to help our children to consider the spiritual dimension of life and encourage their moral and spiritual development.

We use the diocesan syllabus as the basis of our programmes of study using the the following core units;

The Bible Jesus Christ

The Church Festivals

Christian Living Judaism

In recognition of the multicultural nature of the society in which our children are growing up our children also have the opportunity to briefly explore other major world religions including Hinduism and Islam.

Although the diocesan syllabus provides guidance regarding curriculum content the primary aim of our R.E. curriculum is to contribute to each pupils search for meaning.

'For some it will result in a reinforcing and deepening of the faith they come with; for some it may lead them to a commitment; for all we would wish it to result in an informed understanding of and respect for the religious dimension of life, and a conversion from a shallow and unreflective attitude to life ... (and) commitment to the religious quest, that search for meaning, purpose and value which is open to all.'

(From the Manchester Diocesan Board of Education Syllabus for Education, Page 6)