‘Learning in the Light of Christ’ guided by Christ’s teaching to love God and neighbour, we strive to create a caring ethos in our school through our teaching, through our worship and by our example. We encourage all to recognise their unique God-given talents and we want to work together with our families to develop every child’s full potential.  We value each other for who we are and encourage mutual respect and base our discipline on this. We aim to promote a spirit of charity, social justice and global awareness in our school. We strive to provide the best possible education for all our children.

Through our RE curriculum, we create a happy, stimulating and safe environment where children know that they are loved and cared for, to help them grow in understanding and acquire the skills and attitudes to develop their own personal values and faith as well as the tools for learning. We will use the RE curriculum to enable the children to make sense of their world today by comparing the Gospel values and how they fit in today’s world.  As teachers, we will provide high quality teaching, developing the appropriate subject specific knowledge, skills and understanding, and a well-resourced rich environment so that pupils can learn effectively, fulfil their potential and bring about outstanding outcomes. We encourage our pupils to ask deep reflecting questions about the world and to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences.

Learning in RE is at the core of the curriculum and we ensure that the Bishop’s directive is followed in allocating 10% of curriculum time to RE lessons. The Governing Body, led by the Chair and the Governor responsible for RE, provide outstanding support and commitment to the central place of RE in the school. At St Thomas’ we use the RE syllabus "Come and See" which is a scripture-based scheme and develops through the different year groups. It has a very clear, thorough and thoughtful approach to the growing Catholic and non-Catholic child.  As part of our RE teaching about other faith beliefs, the children are taught about and explore the beliefs and practices of Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Hinduism.  RE plays a central and vital part in the life of a Catholic school. It includes learning about scripture and sacraments and throughout their school career, children share experiences of reflection and prayer. We have daily worship and prayers either as a whole school, class or key stage. These include Mass, whole school assemblies, key stage assemblies and a lunchtime prayer group open to all who wish to come. Our Pupil Chaplains work alongside the RE Leader and other staff to help maintain prayer focal areas around the school, lead prayer and worship time and organise acts of charity.

All religions and their communities are treated with respect and sensitivity and we value the links, which are, and can be made between home, school, and a faith community. We acknowledge that each religion studied can contribute to the education of all our pupils.

The children will come to know and understand God’s revelation which is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.  Pupils’ will come to know and experience the meaning of this revelation in his or her own life and the life of the community.  Through opportunities to explore and discuss their faith, they will reflect on how they can act upon their beliefs and what impact this has on their world around them.  Above all, the children will know and love God, they will always be proud and confident to practice their faith, to develop respect and to value all faiths.

Through their RE learning, the children are able to make links between their own lives and those of others in their community and in the wider world, developing an understanding of other people’s cultures and ways of life.   Children may demonstrate an understanding of the significance of different religious buildings and they will understand some of the purposes of such buildings and the impact they have had and continue to have on their communities and beyond.