GUIDELINES FOR PRODUCING
A RELIGIOUS EDUCATION HANDBOOK
1.
THE MISSION STATEMENT
Begin with your Mission Statement. Everything flows from this.
 Aims
 Objectives
2.
THE AIMS OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The outcome of Religious Education is… Come and See Page 11
The aims of Religious Education in …………… school……………….
Refer to Come and See page 10/11 and the Religious Education Curriculum
Directory for Catholic Schools page 6.
3.
OBJECTIVES
These flow from your aims and enable you to achieve them.
Refer to Come and See pages 11 and the Religious Education Curriculum
Directory for Catholic schools page 6.
4.
THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME
“To fulfill our aims and objectives we use the ‘Come and See’ programme of
Religious Education recommended by the Archdiocese of Liverpool.
OVERVIEW OF CONTENT
Use the information provided on the front flyer – Themes/Topics, or on pages
15-17 of ‘Come and See’.
THE PROCESS
KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTANDING/SKILLS/ATTITUDES
The process for delivering the topics in ‘Come and See’ has three stages –
Explore, Reveal and Respond which enable pupils to develop knowledge,
understanding, skills and attitudes. Refer to ‘Come and See’ pages 20-22.
The process encompasses a variety of teaching and learning styles, which
enable the needs of individual pupils to be met.
5.
THE APPROACH CHOSEN
A description of the approach chosen (e) page 25 of ‘Come and See’, the
themes and topics addressed each term by each class.
PLANNING





6.
Long-term planning – ‘Come and See’ (b) page 23 plus pointers for longterm planning*.
Medium-term planning –‘Come and See’ (c) page 23 plus pointers for
medium- term planning*.
Short-term planning – ‘Come and See’ (d) page 25 plus pointers for
short-term planning*.
Differentiation – ‘Come and See’ (f) page 26.
Additional learning needs and/or disabilities (g) page 26
*These are provided by the Archdiocese.
ASSESSMENT
Assessment is focused by the overall aims and objectives of Religious
Education ‘Come and See’ (h) page 27 and the Religious Education Curriculum
Directory for Catholic Schools and Colleges pages 65-66. In ‘Come and See’,
it is related to the concepts, skills and attitudes to be developed through the
exploration of the themes and the learning outcomes for each topic.
Assessment establishes what pupils know, understand and can do. It does not
assess faith or the practice of faith. Assessment in ‘Come and See’
emphasises a wide range of achievement.
In our school it involves:
7.

Informal assessment – (state what your school does).


Formal assessment – (state what your school does).
Refer to the model provided by the Diocese and Guidelines for the
Assessment, Recording and Reporting of Religious Education. Make use
of learning outcomes, expectations, attainment targets and level
descriptors.

Attainment Targets and Levels of Attainment. – Describe how the
Record of Attainment is kept. (Include Record of Attainment)
RECORDING
Describe how this is done in your school. Refer to ‘Come and See’ page 27 and
Guidelines for the Assessment, Recording and Reporting of Religious
Education.
8.
REPORTING
Describe how this is done in your school. Refer to ‘Come and See’ page 27 and
Guidelines for the Assessment, Recording and Reporting of Religious
Education.
9.
EVALUATION OF TEACHING
Criteria and procedures for reviewing and evaluating the teaching of ‘Come
and See’ and the monitoring of teaching, e.g. – observation of class teaching,
children’s work, displays and resources.
10.
EVALUATION OF LEARNING
Ways in which children are enabled to evaluate their own learning e.g. refer
to ‘Come and See’ page 22 and the Remember and Renew stage in each topic.
11.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT






12.
Procedures for enabling staff development.
In-service completed over the last two years.
Staff development plan including in-service planned for the next twelve
months.
Use of Come and See for Yourself.
Use of the theme pages
Strategies for identifying staff and pupil needs in Religious Education:
Refer to ‘Come and See’: The Word of God: Scripture and Tradition
page 18, Sacrament; page 19 Celebration – Prayer and Worship pages
28-33, Religious Literacy pages 38-39, Using Scripture pages 34-37
STAFF INDUCTION
Describe the procedures for the induction of newly qualified staff, supply
teachers, students, T.A’s and other classroom helpers.
13.
STAFF COMMUNICATION
Describe what procedures are in place for communication and consultation
with staff, e.g. meetings and how information is distributed.
14.
RESOURCES – STAFF MEMBERS
Include a list of those teaching Religious Education, their year group,
qualification in Religious Studies (CCRS or equivalent), teacher status and any
particular area of responsibility in Religious Education.
15.
RESOURCES – TEACHING





A list of general resources – books, audio-visuals…
How are these stored?
How are they made available?
Who is responsible for their maintenance?
A list of resources provided for each class – e.g. Come and See file,
God’s Story 1, 2 and 3, Church’s Story 1,2 and 3, Good News Bible,
Catholic NRSV bible, C.D’s
16.
RELATIONSHIP OF R.E. TO THE WHOLE CURRICULUM
Include: Your school’s policies and guidelines for Collective Worship and
assemblies.
 Opportunities provided for Spiritual development.
 Opportunities provided for Moral development.
 Opportunities provided for Away Days and Retreats.
 How your school makes links with parents, parish and the local
community.
 Your school’s contribution to the Diocesan ‘With You Always’ Family
Catechesis and home/school/parish links at these times.
 The inter-relationship between Religious Education and the school’s
policies for Education for Personal Relationships, Citizenship, Equal
Opportunities, Special Educational Needs, Information Computer
Technology, Display and Cross phase links.
17.
SELF EVALUATION DOCUMENT (S.E.D)
Include one for each year since last inspection.
18.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT/IMPROVEMENT PLAN
(If this is different from the SED)
What are your school’s priorities for Religious Education?
19.
EVALUATION OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION HANDBOOK
What procedures are there for reviewing and updating your handbook?