At Saint Thomas More Catholic Primary School our mission is to ‘Learn and Grow as God’s Holy People.’ We aim to encourage the spiritual and moral development of the children within the context of the Catholic faith, whilst sustaining a respect and understanding of other faiths and beliefs. We promote core Gospel values and aim to keep Christ at the centre of what we do.
Religious Education at Saint Thomas More School has a very high priority in the life of the school. Not only is it an important area of the curriculum but is also recognised as a core subject that has the capacity to engage pupils’ intellect, heart, and imagination.
Through the RE curriculum and Sacramental programme at St Thomas More, we guide and support the children on their journey of faith.
Discerning Disciples
Discerning Disciples is the religious education curriculum for Catholic primary schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. It has been developed in full accordance with the Religious Education Directory (RED), the curriculum directory issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, which sets out what pupils in Catholic schools should know, understand, and be able to do in religious education.
The curriculum supports the shared mission of our diocesan family of schools: forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice.
Discerning Disciples is organised into the six 'branches' of the RED, which align with the Catholic Church's liturgical year:
Across these branches, pupils encounter Sacred Scripture, deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and teaching, study prayer, liturgy, and the sacraments, and consider how faith is lived in the world. Through Dialogue and Encounter, they also learn about other faiths and religions, and develop the knowledge, understanding, and dispositions needed for respectful dialogue.
At the heart of Discerning Disciples are the RED's three ways of knowing: understanding, discern and respond. Pupils are therefore encouraged not simply to acquire religious knowledge, but to think deeply about what they learn, make connections, consider different perspectives and make thoughtful judgements. In doing so, religious education helps pupils grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding and to reflect on how what they learn might shape the way they live.
The Teaching Of Gospel Values And Virtues
Saint Thomas More School exists for the express purpose of teaching, practising, and passing on the Catholic faith to our young people, and therefore, the Gospel message underpins everything we do here. We maintain very close links with our local parish and the Priest and Deacons play an important role in the life of our school.
At Saint Thomas More we are following the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s Catholic Schools Profile. In the profile there are eight sets of words which have been paired together because of their complimentary and harmonising relationship to one another. Each half term, we focus on a pair of values and virtues and think about how we can grow more like Jesus in our daily lives.
Catholic Social Teachings
At St Thomas More, Catholic Social Teaching is at the heart of everything we do. Through our curriculum, prayer and liturgy, charitable activities, and daily interactions, we help children understand how they can follow Jesus' example by loving God, caring for others, and looking after God's world. The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are woven throughout our curriculum as golden threads, helping children make meaningful connections between their faith, learning, and actions. Each half-term, we place a special focus on one Catholic Social Teaching principle, exploring what it means and how we can put it into practice in our school, local community, and wider world. By doing so, we empower our children to become compassionate, responsible citizens who recognise their dignity and the dignity of all people, and who strive to make a positive difference in God's world.
Acts Of Worship
Prayer is central to school life for both children and adults. Prayer is woven into the daily life of the school, providing opportunities for everyone to grow in their relationship with God. Children are encouraged to prepare, plan, and lead daily prayer and liturgy, enabling them to develop confidence and deepen their faith. They also take part in regular liturgical celebrations, whole-school acts of worship, and the celebration of Mass, both in school and within our parish church community. Through these experiences, we foster a culture of reflection, gratitude, and spiritual growth.
Sacramental Programme
Parents are the first and most important educators of their children in the faith. At St Thomas More, we value the strong partnership between home, school, and parish, recognising that children flourish when they are supported by a united faith community. Together, we guide and nurture children as they prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Through close collaboration with our Parish Priest and families, we ensure that every child is supported on their sacramental journey, deepening their relationship with God and strengthening their sense of belonging within the Church community.