Religious Education, Teaching and Learning
At St Wulstan’s Religious Education is the core curriculum subject, making up at least 10% of the total curriculum time.
We follow the Birmingham Diocesan Strategy, 'Learning and Growing as the People of God'. Children are taught the strategy from the Nursery class up to Year 6. Each unit builds upon children's prior learning from the previous year and enables progression of knowledge, understanding and skills to develop children's understanding of our Catholic faith. Our curriculum is planned and taught to ensure that children have opportunities to be creative, embrace the teachings of the Bible, and reflect on their previous understanding, whilst strengthening their own faith and beliefs.
Assessment in RE
Termly Teacher Assessment in RE
In RE, children’s knowledge is assessed using the Living and Growing as the People of God unit outcome statements. At the end of each unit, children are assessed against unit markers that outline the end-of-unit expectations.
In RE, children’s knowledge is assessed using the Living and Growing as the People of God unit outcome statements. At the end of each unit, children are assessed against unit markers that outline the end-of-unit expectations.
Teachers evaluate children’s knowledge using evidence from their books and verbal responses. These outcomes enable staff to make a ‘best-fit’ judgement for RE attainment each term.
Teachers review all unit outcomes at the end of each term to provide a summative assessment, recorded on Insight (Online Assessment Platform) as:
- B (Below),
- W- / W+ (Working Towards),
- N- / N+ (Expected Standard), or
- A- / A+ (Above Expected).
This attainment data is shared with governors each term during Standards and Provision meetings, where progress in RE is compared to other core subjects.
Diocesan Assessment
In addition to termly assessments, we assess children’s knowledge against three key units annually, using the Diocesan 4-yearly assessment cycle. Age-related statements are used to evaluate the following strands:
In addition to termly assessments, we assess children’s knowledge against three key units annually, using the Diocesan 4-yearly assessment cycle. Age-related statements are used to evaluate the following strands:
- The Liturgical Year
- Scripture
- Living as Christians (including prayer)
- Celebrating the Sacraments
Specific work samples are used to evidence attainment against these outcome statements.
Moderation and Staff Development
Staff meet termly for RE assessment moderation. During these meetings, teachers review and validate work samples against the age-related standards grids, ensuring accurate and consistent judgements.
Staff meet termly for RE assessment moderation. During these meetings, teachers review and validate work samples against the age-related standards grids, ensuring accurate and consistent judgements.
Assessment of AT2 and AT3
At the start of each RE lesson, a carefully planned question provides children with opportunities to link their knowledge with personal beliefs, the lives of the Saints, vocations, Catholic Social Teaching, and Scripture. Children respond to these questions at the end of the lesson, drawing on their learning and references to provide a personal, reflective answer.
At the start of each RE lesson, a carefully planned question provides children with opportunities to link their knowledge with personal beliefs, the lives of the Saints, vocations, Catholic Social Teaching, and Scripture. Children respond to these questions at the end of the lesson, drawing on their learning and references to provide a personal, reflective answer.
To support this process, staff may provide key vocabulary, visual prompts, or retrieval mats to help children make connections. For SEND children and those with barriers to writing, staff may scribe verbal responses or utilise technologies such as Talking Tins.
Following their responses, children reflect on their work, using purple pen to refine and add greater detail. This ensures a deeper, more personal engagement with the question and helps to develop AT2 and AT3 skills.
Evidence from these personal responses directly contributes to the summative assessment process, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of children’s progress in RE.