At St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, we believe that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and love. While Catholic education is at the heart of our curriculum, children are additionally given the opportunity to learn about other cultures and faiths: notably Judaism, Islam and the Dharmic faiths.

The Church calls us to be committed to respecting people from other religions and to recognise that God is at work within them, our brothers and sisters.  Pupils are encouraged not merely to learn facts about other religions but to also reflect upon them and gain insight from them.

 

Our RE curriculum, Discerning Disciples, teaches world faiths through Branch 6: Dialogue and Encounter.  Through this unit, our children learn about the beliefs, traditions, festivals and ways of life of people from different faith communities. They are encouraged to ask thoughtful questions, listen respectfully to the experiences of others and engage in meaningful dialogue recognising the importance of building relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.

Our teaching helps children to appreciate the richness and diversity of our local, national and global communities. By learning about other faiths, pupils deepen their understanding of the values we share, such as compassion, peace, justice and care for one another while recognising the distinctive beliefs and practices of each religion.

Through Dialogue and Encounter, we aim to nurture children who are open-hearted, compassionate and respectful citizens, prepared to contribute positively to an increasingly diverse world. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus, our pupils learn that authentic dialogue begins with love, respect and a willingness to encounter others with kindness and understanding.

Part of our provision in this area is our visits to places of worship to embed and support the teaching during our RE lessons. These take place as follows:

- Year 1 and Year 2 visit to the Synagogue

- Year 3 visit to the Mosque

- Year 4 visit to Liverpool Cathedral

- Year 5 visit to the Gurdwara 

- Year 6 visit to St. Chad's Cathedral

This provision is mapped into both the whole-school calendar and class timetables.