St. Finian's Catholic Primary School

At St. Finian’s our RE curriculum follows the Catholic Portsmouth Diocese RE Scheme – God Matters. We work closely with our local catholic cluster schools in Newbury and Reading as well as across the wider diocesan Frassati Group to ensure the delivery of a quality and challenging curriculum, building skills and fostering attitudes that equip our children to face the issues encountered in society today. We are guided by Bishop Philip Egan’s vision for Catholic Education ‘That they might have life’, with scripture at the very heart. 

Throughout the year, children follow a sequence of learning reflected in teaching units linked to the catholic liturgical year: Creations, Prayers, Saints & Feasts, Advent, Christmas, Revelation, Lent, Easter, Pentecost & Mission, Sacraments. 

Lessons are designed to stimulate deep learning by engaging childrens’ natural creativity through questioning, role-play, reflective writing, art, dance and music. A key driver running through our RE curriculum (and all curriculum subjects at St. Finian’s) are the key themes of catholic social teaching (CST), focusing on our role in building a just and fair society where each and every person is treated with respect and dignity. As catholic educators we bring our values and Christian ethos into every aspect of our learning. Our aim is to form our children to become outward looking young people, understanding the difference they can make in God’s world using their unique gifts and talents. 

Complimenting our RE curriculum is our PSHE programme ‘Life to the Full’. This innovative catholic scheme of work (designed by TEN TEN Resources), delivers relationship and health education within the context of a Christian understanding of human sexuality, rooted in the wisdom and teaching of the catholic church.