Reception Religious Education

Lighting the Path - Oxford Owl

Intent

In Reception, Religious Education is a core part of the curriculum and is delivered through the Lighting the Path scheme. It is designed to:

• Nurture each child as unique and loved by God

• Lay secure foundations for Catholic belief, values, and practice

• Promote wonder, awe, reflection, and reverence

• Support children’s spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development

Learning is developmentally appropriate and rooted in play, storytelling, dialogue, prayer, and experience, fully aligned with the EYFS Statutory Framework and the Religious Education Directory (RED).

Implementation

Religious Education is taught through eight thematic branches across the liturgical year. Learning is delivered through:

• Storytelling from Scripture and religious tradition

• Use of religious signs, symbols, artefacts, and music

• Opportunities for prayer, stillness, and reflection

• First-hand experiences of belonging, celebration, and care

• Strong links to children’s lived experiences

Teaching builds progressively and supports children to talk about what they wonder, feel, and notice, using age-appropriate religious language.

Curriculum Overview: Topics and Branches

Autumn Term

Myself

Focus: God knows and loves me

Children are helped to recognise that they are created and loved by God. They reflect on their own identity, feelings, and relationships and begin to understand that they belong to a loving community.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Children confidently talking about themselves and their families

• Respectful interactions with peers

• Growing self-awareness and emotional literacy

EYFS Links:
PSED (Self-Regulation, Managing Self)
Communication & Language
Understanding the World – People, Culture & Communities

Welcome

Focus: Belonging to a community

Children explore what it means to be welcomed and to belong. They are introduced to Baptism as the way Christians are welcomed into God’s family.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Children demonstrating kindness and inclusion

• Awareness of welcoming signs and symbols

• Ability to talk about special moments in family and church life

EYFS Links:
PSED (Building Relationships)
Understanding the World – People, Culture & Communities
Expressive Arts & Design

Birthdays

Focus: Celebrating special times

Children learn that Christians celebrate important events, particularly Christmas, when Jesus was born. They explore joy, giving, and celebration.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Children retelling parts of the Nativity story

• Engagement in prayer and song

• Understanding that Christmas is about Jesus’ birth

EYFS Links:
Communication & Language
Understanding the World – People, Culture & Communities
Expressive Arts & Design

Spring Term

Gathering

Focus: Gathering to celebrate and pray

Children learn that the Church is a community that gathers to pray and celebrate. They explore the church as a special place and hear stories of Jesus gathering people together.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Children recognising the church as a holy place

• Participation in shared prayer

• Understanding of community and togetherness

EYFS Links:
PSED (Building Relationships)
Understanding the World – People, Culture & Communities
Communication & Language

Growing

Focus: Growing in love and faith

Children reflect on how people grow and change. They are introduced to Lent as a time for growing closer to God and learning to make loving choices.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Children talking about change and growth

• Simple acts of kindness and reflection

• Awareness of Lent as a special time

EYFS Links:
Understanding the World – The Natural World
PSED (Managing Self)
Communication & Language

Giving

Focus: Loving and helping others

Children learn that Jesus teaches us to love and care for others. They explore how giving and sharing are ways of showing love.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Children showing empathy and generosity

• Engagement with stories of Jesus helping others

• Participation in charitable or class giving activities

EYFS Links:
PSED (Building Relationships)
Understanding the World – People, Culture & Communities
Expressive Arts & Design

Summer Term

Friends

Focus: Jesus teaches us how to be good friends

Children explore friendship, forgiveness, and cooperation, learning that Jesus is a friend to everyone and teaches us how to love one another.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Positive peer relationships

• Children resolving conflict with support

• Understanding of forgiveness and kindness

EYFS Links:
PSED (Building Relationships)
Communication & Language
Understanding the World

Our World

Focus: God’s wonderful world

Children explore the beauty of creation and learn that God asks us to care for the world. They develop a sense of responsibility, respect, and gratitude.

Inspection Evidence May Include:

• Awe and wonder in response to nature

• Children taking responsibility for caring for the environment

• Creative responses to the Creation story

EYFS Links:
Understanding the World – The Natural World
PSED (Managing Self)
Expressive Arts & Design

Impact

By the end of Reception:

• Children know they are loved by God

• They engage confidently in prayer, reflection, and religious stories

• They demonstrate respect, kindness, and care for others

• They show curiosity and wonder about the world God created

• Foundations are securely laid for progression into Key Stage 1 Religious Education

Assessment and Evidence

Assessment in Reception is ongoing and formative, informed through:

• Observation of play and dialogue

• Children’s spoken responses and questioning

• Photographic and written evidence

• Contributions to prayer and liturgy

Evidence demonstrates clear progress in knowledge, understanding, and attitudes, in line with diocesan expectations.