Religious Education
At St Swithun Wells, R.E is a core subject and is the centre of life in our school and community. R.E teaching not only helps develop our children’s understanding and knowledge of Catholic faith and life, but also underpins the values of our school community.
Through their R.E. learning, children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world. R.E is taught weekly and is delivered for two hours in KS1 and two and a half hours in KS2.
Source to Summit: Lighting the Path
At St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, as guided by the Diocese, we use Source to Summit: Lighting the Path to support the teaching of Religious Education (RE) from Reception through to Year 6.
Lighting the Path is a resource designed specifically for Catholic primary schools. It follows the Religious Education Directory (RED) and covers all the mandatory Religious Education outcomes set by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
The title Lighting the Path is inspired by Psalm 119:
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
The resource takes children on a journey through the story of God's revelation, helping them to explore Sacred Scripture, the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church, and the beliefs and practices of Catholics around the world today.
Through their RE learning, children are encouraged to develop both creative and critical thinking skills. They are given opportunities to ask questions, explore their own ideas, consider different beliefs and worldviews, and develop thoughtful personal responses.
Our teachers help to light the path for every child, guiding them on a journey through Sacred Scripture and the liturgical year of the Catholic Church. Children are encouraged to talk about what they believe, listen respectfully to the beliefs of others, and develop their ability to engage thoughtfully in conversations about faith and different worldviews.
Through Lighting the Path, we want our children to grow not only in their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith, but also in their ability to wonder, question, reflect and respond as they continue their journey of faith and learning.
Each topic explores Scripture, our response to its teachings, and Church tradition.
In RE lessons we aim to guide all children in:
- their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and life;
- their knowledge and understanding of the response of faith to the ultimate questions about human life, its origin and purpose;
- the skills required to examine and reflect upon religious belief and practice.
The Six Branches of Lighting the Path
The Lighting the Path curriculum is organised into six branches. Each branch is taught across a half-term and follows the story of God's revelation through Scripture and the Church's liturgical year. As children move through the school, they revisit these branches, building on their previous learning and developing a deeper understanding of Scripture, Catholic belief and the lived experience of faith.
🌱 Creation and Covenant
Children explore God's creation and his loving relationship with humanity. They learn about God's promises and covenants with his people and consider what it means to live in relationship with God and with others.
⭐ Prophecy and Promise
Children explore the prophets and their messages of hope and God's promise of a Saviour. This branch connects particularly with the season of Advent, helping children understand the anticipation of the coming of Jesus.
✝️ Galilee to Jerusalem
Children follow the life and ministry of Jesus, exploring his teachings, miracles, relationships and the people he encountered. They consider what Jesus reveals about God and how his teachings guide the lives of Christians today.
🌿 Desert to Garden
Children journey through Lent, Holy Week and Easter, exploring Jesus' suffering, death and Resurrection. They reflect on themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, hope and new life.
🌍 To the Ends of the Earth
Children discover how the Good News of Jesus was shared by his followers and how the Church grew. They explore the coming of the Holy Spirit, the mission of the Church and how Catholics around the world live and share their faith today.
🤝 Dialogue and Encounter
Children explore the diversity of religious and non-religious worldviews. They learn about other faith traditions and develop the skills to listen, ask questions and engage respectfully with people whose beliefs and experiences may be different from their own.
Together, these six branches create a spiral journey through Scripture and the story of salvation. As children progress from Reception to Year 6, they return to the key themes with increasing depth, building their knowledge, understanding and ability to reflect on what their learning means for their own lives.
