Year 1 Religious Education

During this branch, Year 1 explore how Creation marks the first step in the covenant that God forms with His people.

Pupils investigate the origins of the world and the nature of existence. They learn about the Christian belief that everything in the universe originates from God, the Creator, whom Christians refer to as the Father.

This belief is rooted in Scripture and expressed in the prayers of the Catholic Church.

We discuss our responsibility to care for the world that God creates.

We begin by reflecting on the opening words of the Nicene Creed, affirming the belief that all that exists—both visible and invisible—comes from God.

We then study the “Our Father” prayer, exploring its meaning and significance.

Pupils develop an understanding that, for Christians, the Christmas story reveals God’s love through the sending of Jesus, His Son.

They explore the Bible as a special book, focusing on the Gospel accounts that show how people come to know God and the Good News of Jesus.

Pupils learn to sequence the events of the Nativity—from the Annunciation to the visit of the shepherds—understanding the importance of each moment.

They explore the Annunciation as a key event, recognising how God calls Mary and how her “Yes” makes her an important figure for Christians.

Pupils connect the words of the Angel Gabriel with the opening lines of the Hail Mary and identify the angelic message in the Gloria, seeing how these prayers are rooted in the Christmas story.

They recognise that angels, as messengers, bring God’s message and affirm Jesus as the Son of God.

Through creative thinking and discussion, pupils reflect on these events and respond by beginning to join in with the Hail Mary, saying or singing the Gloria, and discussing how Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth in their community.

For Catholic Social Teaching, pupils focus on the preferential option for the poor.

They reflect on ways they can support those in need by considering what they might give up—such as a small treat—to help others.

Pupils explore how Christians in their local parish work together through food drives, charity events, and community support initiatives to live out their faith and care for those less fortunate.

This reflection helps pupils understand the importance of compassion, solidarity, and the impact of small sacrifices in supporting their community.

By the end of this branch, pupils recognise and identify key people who encounter Jesus, acknowledging that He holds a special place in religious teachings.

They engage with the Gospel of Luke, retelling stories in various creative forms to deepen their understanding of these religious accounts.

Pupils make simple connections between Jesus’ mission, as announced in Luke 4:16–19, and the Christian calling to share God’s love with others today.

Through examining the story of Zacchaeus, pupils ask and answer questions about his transformation after meeting Jesus, helping them think critically about personal change.

Additionally, pupils imagine the experiences of those who meet Jesus and explore how encounters with Him might transform their lives.

Listening to how people celebrate Candlemas enriches their understanding of faith expressions.

Pupils reflect on the meaning of the Good News in their lives, consider how Jesus is a ‘light’ for all people, and think about ways they can bring light to their families and communities, learning from Jesus’ example of care for others.

Pupils explore the concept of solidarity by focusing on St. Francis of Assisi.

They learn how St. Francis exemplifies solidarity by demonstrating love and care for all living things, particularly animals and nature.

Through stories and examples from his life, pupils understand that St. Francis sees all of creation as interconnected and treats every living being with compassion and respect.

By the end of this branch, pupils make connections between key events in the life of Jesus and Christian practices, particularly during Lent.

They understand how Jesus’ time in the desert (Luke 4:1–13) relates to the 40 days of prayer and fasting in Lent, and how His teaching about giving, illustrated in the story of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–6), encourages Christians to focus on charity during this season.

Pupils sequence the events of the last week of Jesus’ life, recognising the significance of the Passion and Resurrection.

They explore how angels act as messengers of God, affirming Jesus’ divine nature, and reflect on the use of ashes as a symbol of repentance and new beginnings in Lent.

Through critical and creative thinking, pupils ask questions about the story of the last week of Jesus’ life, consider how other Christian communities celebrate Lent and Easter, and reflect on the meaning of fasting to help others—particularly through initiatives like CAFOD’s Family Fast Day.

This reflection invites them to consider what they might give up or do to support others, deepening their understanding of Lent as a time for renewal and selflessness.

Pupils focus on the importance of participation in communal activities, understanding how working together as a community demonstrates love and kindness, especially during Lent.

They explore how participating in class projects, helping one another, and caring for their classmates are ways to show love, following Jesus’ example of service to others.

Through active involvement in these activities, pupils see that participation is not just about individual effort but about working together to create a supportive and caring environment.

By reflecting on Jesus’ call to love one another, pupils recognise how their contributions—big or small—help to build a community that reflects His love during Lent.

By the end of this branch, pupils retell key stories from the Bible—such as the Road to Emmaus, the Promise of the Spirit, the Ascension, and Pentecost—with increasing detail.

They learn to sequence these stories alongside earlier accounts of Jesus’ life, building an understanding of the broader narrative of His mission and the mission of the Church, as announced by Jesus in Luke 4:16–19.

Pupils recognise the significance of special days like the Ascension and Pentecost in the Catholic Church.

Through critical thinking, they explore the emotions of the apostles following the Resurrection and examine the different ways the Holy Spirit is expressed in the Bible—through wind, fire, and other symbols.

They engage with art, music, and stories to deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit’s presence.

Pupils reflect on the importance of prayer and consider how Christians share the Gospel through both words and actions.

They learn about Mary’s Meals and how the charity’s work exemplifies the Catholic Social Teaching principle of caring for the common good.

Pupils explore how providing meals to children in need helps to create a more just and compassionate world, reflecting Mary’s caring spirit and her example of selfless love.

By understanding the impact of Mary’s Meals, pupils recognise how helping others—particularly those who are most vulnerable—contributes to the well-being of the wider community.

By the end of this unit of study, pupils understand that being a Christian means following Jesus Christ. They recognise that Catholics, as part of a global Christian family, are united with all Christians as brothers and sisters in faith.

Pupils identify connections between Jesus’ life and message and explore how these teachings inspire Christians to live today—particularly through the symbol of the cross, which represents Christian belief.

Pupils also learn about the Jewish faith, including the belief in one God and the special clothing worn by some Jewish people. They gain an appreciation for religious practices and traditions.

Through critical and creative reflection, pupils explore how Christians in their local community work together to help others. They engage with artistic expressions of Christian belief across different traditions.

Pupils ask thoughtful questions about the stories and experiences of both Christians and Jewish people, deepening their understanding of diverse faith expressions.

They focus on the Catholic Social Teaching principle of human dignity, exploring the idea that every person—regardless of where they live—deserves respect and dignity.

As they study the continents in geography, pupils learn that each continent is home to diverse cultures, languages, and traditions, highlighting the richness of human life around the world.

Pupils recognise that these differences should be celebrated and respected, not judged, and that everyone, no matter their background, has inherent dignity.

By understanding the variety of cultures and ways of life across continents, pupils reflect on how their actions can promote respect for all people, fostering a sense of shared humanity and dignity.