Religious Education in Roman Catholic Schools: assessing progress and achievement
This progression framework is a guide which is intended to support practitioners as they consider the evidence of knowledge and understanding, skills,
attributes and capabilities provided by learners as they progress through and achieve a level in Religious Education.
The significant aspects of learning (detailed in the associated professional learning paper) relate to the statements for each level within this progression
framework. They should be considered jointly when assessing progress and achievement.
In order to demonstrate achievement of a level in Religious Education, the learner provides a range of evidence related to the experiences and outcomes
within a level as well as towards learning at the next level.
This resource can be used in conjunction with the This is Our Faith programme.
Curriculum
organisers
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
Broad Themes
MYSTERY OF GOD
Our sense of God’s presence in our
lives.
Relationship with God (through Jesus)
Creator & Creation.
Questions about our ultimate destiny.
Human Freedom.
Problem of suffering and evil.
Early Level
First Level
Second Level
Third Level
Nature is a sign of God’s
Love.
Praise and Wonder of
Creation.
Using Psalms to praise
God.
The natural world.
My five senses.
God loves me.
God gives life.
God created me unique.
God created everything
visible and invisible.
The life giving nature of
water.
Humanity’s unique
role/responsibility in
creation - naming the
animals.
Awareness of God in my
life.
The mystery of
suffering.
Caring for those who
suffer.
God’s closeness at times
of suffering.
My gifts and talents as
gifts from God.
My Body and my
feelings & my
relationship with God.
Fourth Level
Understanding what
being open to God
means.
Original Sin.
Example of the Saints
helps me be aware of
God in my life.
Discerning God’s plan
for my life.
Jesus and mystery in his
life.
Angels as God’s
messengers.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
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March 2016
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
Curriculum
organisers
Broad Themes
Human dignity: Humans are made in
the image and likeness of God.
We are made for relationship with
God and others. (true fulfilment and
happiness found)
The Vocation to Love.
Fulfilment and Redemption.
Free Will
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Early Level
I am unique.
My gifts and talents
come from God.
First Level
God’s love is eternal.
All things are created by
God.
We have been created
body, mind and soul.
The gift of free will.
God calls us to live in a
faith community.
We enter this
community through the
Sacraments of initiation.
Second Level
God has a plan for me.
Sin breaks relationships.
Respecting the views,
feelings and wishes of
others.
Following in Jesus’ way
by responding in
kindness, compassion
and service to others.
Making good choices
about caring for others
and the earth.
Third Level
Made in God’s image &
likeness.
Characteristics which
are ‘God-like’.
Human inclination to
sin.
Conscience &
responsibility.
Fourth Level
Christ has restored the
divine image to
humankind.
Life as a journey
towards God.
An informed conscience
helps my decisions on
life’s journey.
Vocation & service
The gift of sexuality.
Being co-creators with
God.
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March 2016
Curriculum
organisers
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
Broad Themes
God as Trinitarian community of
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
REVEALED TRUTH OF GOD
Revelation and Covenant (s).
Salvation History
Continuing work of the Spirit
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Early Level
First Level
God shows his love by
giving me a beautiful
world, his Son Jesus and
people who look after
me.
God’s love revealed in
the Bible.
God shares his love. The
example of people who
have felt God’s love at
difficult times.
We have to share God’s
love.
God forgives and helps
us to make good
choices.
The sign of the cross is a
prayer to God the
Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
God is Father, Son and
Holy Spirit.
Certain prayers,
scripture passages and
times of the liturgical
year help us understand
this.
Second Level
God reveals himself
throughout history, in
the Covenant and
ultimately in Jesus.
Old Testament
Revelation: CovenantAbraham & Moses.
Prophets.
The Holy Spirit
strengthens faith and
guides us.
The Prophets and Saints
are examples for us.
The gift of faith and my
journey to relationship
with God.
Christians read Old
Testament in light of
Christ crucified and
risen.
Examination of
conscience and
discernment before
important decisions.
God reveals himself as
Trinity.
Trinity is the central
mystery of the Christian
Faith.
Celtic prayers and Icons
can help us learn about
the Trinity.
Scriptural examples of
God as Trinity.
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Third Level
Fourth Level
Revelations helps in our
understanding the
nature of God.
New Testament
Revelation:
Resurrection & post
resurrection of Jesus.
New Testament
Revelation:
Ministry of Jesus &
Beginnings of the
Church.
Passion and Death of
Jesus.
Loving and saving
nature of God.
March 2016
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
Curriculum
organisers
Broad Themes
Incarnation.
Jesus is the Son of God.
Divinity and Humanity of Jesus.
Life, Ministry, Teaching, Passion, Death
& Resurrection of Jesus
Salvation and Redemption (New
Covenant).
SON
OF
GOD
Discipleship
Early Level
At Advent we prepare
for Jesus birth.
The people and places
of the Christmas story.
Jesus died and rose
again.
How his friends felt
about Jesus death and
resurrection.
First Level
Second Level
The Blessed Virgin
Mary’s ‘Yes’ to God at
the Annunciation.
Joseph’s ‘Yes’ to God
compared to Herod’s
choices.
The important roles of
the other people in the
Nativity narrative in
helping us understand
who Jesus is.
The 3 synoptic Gospels
and the portraits they
give us of Jesus and the
time that he lived.
The geography of the
land where Jesus lived
and the religious
authorities of the time.
Divinity of Jesus
Humanity of Jesus
(Inseparability of
divinity & humanity).
Titles of Jesus.
Jesus as Saviour who
brings the New
Covenant.
Through the Incarnation
and Salvation human
nature is transformed.
Jesus as Redeemer and
Saviour
(Our response to him as
redeemer & saviour)
The Incarnation and the
role of Mary, the
Immaculate
Conception.
The feast days where
we celebrate her role.
Messianic Expectation:
Palestine & Roman
Occupation
The covenant.
Jesus as fulfilment of OT
Prophecies.
Messianic Expectation:
even in rejection Jesus
Scripture fulfils
expectations The
suffering servant.
The role of John the
Baptist in preparing the
way for Jesus.
The need for
repentance and
forgiveness.
Understanding of the
Presence of the Holy
Spirit at key events in
the life, passion and
death of Jesus and the
beginnings of the
Church.
Jesus is part of a human
family.
Understanding Jesus life
on earth:
• His faith
community
including Jewish
rituals, festivals and
the importance of
the Sabbath.
• The country he
grew up in.
• His 12 friends, the
Apostles.
Jesus was a teacher and
used miracles and
parables to teach.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
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Jesus is fully human and
fully divine.
Jesus teaches the value
of faith and how we
should treat everyone
with dignity.
People respond to Jesus
in different ways.
Third Level
Mary’s unique role in
history.
Fourth Level
Death & resurrection of
Jesus in light of
Christian understanding
of divinity, humanity,
redemption and
salvation.
Centrality of Paschal
Mystery
March 2016
Jesus taught us how to
live in relationship with
God the Father and
each other.
Jesus’ death and
resurrection help us
know about eternal life.
The Last Supper is the
first celebration of the
Eucharist.
At Mass we recall the
Last Supper and the
death of Jesus on the
cross.
At the Eucharist we
receive the Body and
Blood of Christ.
Jesus is the New
Covenant, the Lamb of
God.
The Paschal mystery is
at the heart of Christian
life.
The Presence of Jesus in
the Blessed Sacrament
and the actions we use
to show our reverence.
Jesus’ death on the
cross is the greatest
example of love.
The joy of the
resurrection.
We look forward to
eternal life.
We have free will.
Heaven, Hell and
Purgatory.
Lent and the Easter
Triduum.
During Lent we fast,
pray and give alms.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
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March 2016
Curriculum
organisers
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
Broad Themes
How Christian life is sustained.
Christ continues to be present
through the Seven sacraments.
Christ continues to be present
through the Church (including role
and structure of Church)
The Marks of the Church (One,
Holy, Catholic and Apostolic)
SIGNS
OF
GOD
Early Level
I am part of a
community.
Our community prays
together.
The priest looks after
our parish.
First Level
Second Level
Third Level
We care for each other
in our community and
parish.
We are all God’s family
and we celebrate
special events together.
The Church is Universal
and we must care for
people throughout the
world.
Our Christian heritage,
both Scottish and part
of the Universal Church.
Significance of
Sacraments of initiation
for my own faith
development and as
encounters with Jesus.
The Pope is the
successor to Peter and
has God given
authority.
There are 7 Sacraments.
The signs and symbols
of the Sacraments of
initiation.
The Sacraments of
healing.
Preparation for the
Sacrament of
Reconciliation.
We can forgive each
other and receive
forgiveness from Jesus.
Preparation for the
Sacrament of Eucharist.
The Eucharist is the
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Page 6 of 14
Through Sacraments of
initiation we share in
Jesus’ role as Priest,
Prophet and King.
We have a prophetic
role to be peacemakers.
We have a role as a
Christian and a mission
in life.
With the help of the
Holy Spirit we must
serve others and work
for justice.
The effects of the seven
Sacraments in our lives.
The importance of the
Eucharist as the ‘source
and summit’ of
Christian life.
Eucharist is the body
and blood of Christ.
The Emmaus narrative:
recognising Jesus in the
Eucharist and what our
response should be.
The mission of the
Church carried out in a
particular way through
Sacraments at the
service of communion.
They help others to
understand God’s
message of love.
Fourth Level
Sacraments of healing
as encounters with
Jesus.
Situations that require
reconciliation.
Actions that lead to
forgiveness and healing.
The Church: Catholic
Social Teaching.
How to contribute to
the mission of the
Church.
Obligation to attend
Mass on Sunday and
Holiday of obligation.
The Church:
Makes Jesus present in
the world.
Domestic Church.
Heaven & Earth, One
Family.
CONFIRMATION P6&7:
The ministry of Jesus.
March 2016
body and blood of
Christ.
The Eucharist nourishes
our spiritual life and is
the high point of
Christian initiation.
The parts of the Mass.
God’s Word and the
Holy Spirit help me to
make good choices in
my life and to grow in
relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit’s
influence in the lives of
the Saints.
CONFIRMATION P4:
The Sacraments
strengthen our faith
journey and make us
Holy.
The work and power of
the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation is a gift.
The Confirmation rite.
The Gifts and Fruits of
the Holy Spirit.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Page 7 of 14
The link between
Baptism and
Confirmation.
What Confirmation
means to my life and
my witness as a
Christian.
The Sacraments
strengthen our faith
journey and make us
Holy.
The work and power of
the Holy Spirit.
Confirmation is a gift.
The Confirmation rite.
The Gifts and Fruits of
the Holy Spirit.
March 2016
Broad Themes
Early Level
First Level
Scripture is the Inspired Word of
God.
Knowing the Bible is God’s
Holy book.
Teachings of the Church (Tradition
and Magisterium)
The Bible is also called the
Word of God.
Know Bible is a precious
and sacred book which
must be treated with
respect.
The ongoing mission of the Holy
Spirit.
Know certain Bible stories
about God.
WORD OF GOD
Curriculum
organisers
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
God speaks through the
Bible and the Holy
Spirits inspired the
writing of the Bible.
I can recount certain
Bible passages.
With the help of the
Holy Spirit, we, like the
saints listen and
respond to the Word of
God through our lives
and especially at Mass.
Know how to proclaim
the Word of God.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Page 8 of 14
Second Level
Locate particular
scriptural passages.
Beginning to look at
Covenant and God’s
chosen people in the
books of Genesis and
Exodus.
The call of the Prophets
and Kings and their
mission to remind
people of the Covenant.
Jesus fulfilled God’s
promises.
Know about the Mission
of St. Paul and the early
Christian Communities
by reading the Epistles
and the Act of the
Apostles.
Scripture has both a
literal and a spiritual
sense.
Third Level
Fourth Level
God communicates his
love through Scripture.
God acts through the
writers of the Bible.
The writing of the Old
and New Testament
How God spoke in the
past and continues to
be heard today.
Literary forms in the
Bible.
Learning through the
Gospel of Mark and
Luke.
Learning through the
Gospel of Matthew.
The role of Tradition &
Magisterium.
Prayer using Scripture.
The Church teaches
what Scripture intended
and how we should act
in response.
Prayer and reflection
using Scripture.
March 2016
Scripture guides our
Christian life by
recounting the past,
inviting us to act in a
certain way in the
present and reminding
us we are destined for a
future with God.
Why Scripture is always
treated with reverence.
Actions which show this
respect.
Deepening my
relationship with God
by praying with the
Bible in different ways.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Page 9 of 14
March 2016
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
Curriculum
organisers
Broad Themes
Prayer (personal and communal).
Mary the Mother of God.
Liturgical Practice.
Sacred Liturgy.
The Mass.
Communion of Saints.
HOURS
OF
GOD
Liturgical cycle.
Pilgrimage / Pilgrim People.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Early Level
Prayer is speaking to
God.
Pray through words,
gestures and song.
Know certain
prayers**.
Mary is Jesus’ mother
and mother of us all.
Sunday is a Holy day
and Catholics go to
Mass on a Sunday.
Celebrated liturgies in
school and in the
parish.
I have prayed at the
important times of
Christmas and Easter.
First Level
Second Level
Third Level
Fourth Level
Prayer is talking and
listening to God.
Pray with certain
words, gestures and
movements.
Know certain prayers**
and their meaning.
Have taken part in a
prayer service and used
different forms of
prayer.
Honour Mary, the
Mother of God,
especially in Advent,
May and October.
Honour Mary using
icons and processions.
Mass on a Sunday is an
important duty.
Know how to act and
respond in Mass,
including fasting
beforehand.
The parts of the Mass
and their importance.
The significance of the
Consecration.
Have celebrated
liturgies in school and in
the parish.
Know certain symbols,
Know certain prayers**,
their meaning and why I
should pray them
frequently.
Compose prayers.
Use my imagination to
be creative in prayer.
Honour Mary as the
first believer who can
intercede on our behalf.
Some of the titles and
feast days of Mary.
Participate in traditional
Marian devotions.
Know the structure of
the Rosary and the link
to the Gospels.
Mass on a Sunday and
Holy days of obligation
is an important duty.
Know how to act and
respond in Mass,
including fasting
beforehand.
The parts of the Mass
and their importance.
The ministries and
opportunities open to
me at Mass.
Know certain prayers**
and ways of praying and
that these develop my
relationship with God.
Know certain prayers**
and have knowledge
and understanding
about their meaning.
An informed opinion of
preference of forms of
prayer.
An understanding how
God responds to
prayers.
Page 10 of 14
Have participated in
Pilgrimage and Church
as ‘pilgrim people’.
Mary:
Mother of the Church.
Aspects of Church
buildings dedicated to
Mary.
Mary within liturgy.
Preparation and
participation in Mass.
The Mass:
• as sacred meal, link
to Passover.
• as sacrifice
Worship through
liturgy:
• sharing Christ’s
priesthood.
• Participate in
liturgies
throughout
liturgical year.
Have participated in
liturgies in school and in
the parish.
Mary role model of
Christians.
Preparation and
participation in Mass.
The Mass:
Understanding Christ’s
presence
Proclamation through
liturgy: Sharing in
Christ’s prophetic
mission.
Participate in liturgies
March 2016
artefacts, actions and
rituals used in liturgies.
The significance of the
seasons and
celebrations of the
liturgical year.
Angels as God’s
messengers.
Pray to my Guardian
Angel.
With the help of the
Holy Spirit, we are
called to be Saints and
live a Christian life.
We have the example
of the lives of the
Saints.
liturgies in school and in
the parish to celebrate
different times of the
year and themes.
Know certain symbols,
artefacts, actions and
rituals used in liturgies.
The significance of the
seasons, celebrations
and symbols of the
liturgies throughout the
liturgical year and how I
can participate in these.
Reflect on the lives and
deaths of certain saints
and how their witness
can help me to live a
Christian life.
Know about the saint
chosen as Confirmation
name.
•
Use of symbols and
rituals at liturgical
celebrations.
Service through liturgy:
• Sharing Christ’s
Kingship
throughout liturgical
year.
Liturgical
understanding:
• Easter & Eastertide
Liturgical
understanding:
• Holy Week
• Easter vigil & Easter
Sunday liturgies
• Sundays of Advent
The Nativity of the
Lord
• Advent &
Christmastide
** Prayer Grid from “This Is Our Faith” page 295 indicates which prayers should be learnt in each year group.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
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March 2016
Curriculum
organisers
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
Broad Themes
Living Gospel Values.
Building the Kingdom of God.
The New Commandment.
REIGN OF GOD
Responding to Christ’s call to faith &
conversion.
Christ as the example of virtue
Justice; Social Justice & Life Issues.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Early Level
I am loved by God
and others.
I can show God’s
love.
I know how God
wants me to live.
First Level
Second Level
Know I belong to
God’s family.
I know how members
of my community
serve and care for
the world.
I can show God’s love
to all people by
praying for them and
through acts of
kindness, particularly
during Lent and
Advent.
Know God gives us
Commandments and
helps us to live
Christian lives.
I know what Justice and Peace
mean.
The significance of the 10
commandments for Christians
both now and for eternal life.
How to love and care for my
local community in a practical
way (including praying for
them) by responding to their
needs.
The charisms and work of
certain people, orders and
Church groups.
The power that prayer and
action play in the mission of the
Church.
God calls us to show
love, justice and
peace.
The Sacraments help
me when this is
difficult.
I can show love of
God by making good
choices, in how I
treat my neighbour
and through times of
prayer.
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I am called to follow the values
demonstrated by Jesus even
when it is difficult.
Knowledge and understanding
of what Jesus meant by the
Kingdom of God.
The Beatitudes are our guide to
living as disciples of Jesus.
How prayer strengthens me to
act as God wants me to.
Living as Gods wants brings true
happiness.
Third Level
Jesus new
commandment central
to understanding the
Reign of God.
Charity.
Compassion
Sin
Forgiveness and
reconciliation- free will.
Moral decision making.
The sacredness of life.
Issues of poverty.
10 commandments &
The beatitudes teach us
about transformation &
conversion.
Wisdom.
Fourth Level
10 commandments &
The beatitudes
influence on today.
Deepened
understanding of
justice and peace.
Sin.
Conscience and the
consequences of my
actions.
The four last things.
Forgiveness and
reconciliation:
Human Nature and
sexuality.
Issues of peace.
March 2016
REIGN OF GOD
Loving others as
Jesus taught brings
happiness.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Explored certain
passages about the
call to forgiveness.
I can forgive others.
I can examine my
conscience, say sorry,
make up for what I
have done and start
again if I sin.
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Baptism unites all Christians.
All Christians worship God,
serve their communities and
await the coming of God’s
Kingdom.
Explored certain passages
about temptation, repentance,
reconciliation and responsibility
for my actions.
I am called to be a peacemaker
and to forgive others.
I can inform my conscience.
The Holy Spirit and the
Sacraments strengthen me to
make good choices.
Beginning to know terms used
to describe types of sin.
When I am tempted to sin, the
sacrament of reconciliation
restores my relationship with
God and others.
March 2016
Broad Themes
OTHER WORLD RELIGIONS
Curriculum
organisers
Progression Framework for RERC
*Please note this framework can only be understood when read in conjunction with Section 2 and Section 4 of “This Is Our Faith”
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Early Level
First Level
Second Level
Third Level
Fourth Level
Jewish and/or Muslim
communities believe in God.
In Islam God is called
“Allah”.
Jesus grew up in a Jewish
family and family values are
central to Muslim and
Jewish life.
Jews and Muslims believe
in one God.
Focus on an OWR.
Knowledge of God’s
revelation and the sacred
in this religion.
Origins of one OWR.
Certain beliefs and how
they affect actions.
Influence of how the
beliefs of an OWR
influence society.
Jesus prayed in a
synagogue.
He read from the Psalms &
Prophets.
Jewish community today
read from the Torah.
Muslims can worship in a
Mosque and I know the
features of a Mosque
building.
The Muslim Holy Book is the
Qur’an.
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Jewish people have a
covenant relationship
with God and keep God’s
10 commandments
including to make the
Sabbath holy.
The practices in preparing
for Sabbath.
Key features and artefacts
of a Synagogue.
Practices and rituals when
attending Synagogue.
Certain rituals, customs,
practices and festivals of
Judaism.
Beginning to know about
the role of the Prophet
Mohammed (pbuh) & the
5 Pillars of Islam.
Certain rituals, customs,
practices and festivals of
Muslims.
Compared and
contrasted the response
to values & moral issues
in this religion and my
own response to these
issues.
Current faith practices
within the religion.
Why religious ceremonies
and customs influence
the lives of the followers
of this faith.
How my respect for other
faiths develops as I study
them.
How my learning about
other religions affects my
understanding of my own
beliefs and practices.
Compared and
contrasted own beliefs
with OWR.
Core values of OWR,
origins of values.
How these values help
discern choices and
actions.
Learning about OWR
helps develop respect.
How is Diversity
celebrated in Scotland?
Important impact of
religious practice on
the world.
March 2016