Skip to content ↓

The Vine & The Branches

The new national Religious Education Directory, "To Know You More Clearly," is structured around six thematic branches. Taught progressively across each half-term of the academic year, these branches map closely to the Catholic Liturgical Year: The scheme that we use to teach Religious Education at St Simon's is called The Vine and the Branches and is created in line with the directory.

The new national Religious Education Directory, "To Know You More Clearly," is structured around six thematic branches. Taught progressively across each half-term of the academic year, these branches map closely to the Catholic Liturgical Year:

Branch

Theme & Liturgical Link

What Children Learn

1. Creation and Covenant

 

Autumn 1


 

(Start of the School Year)

Children explore God as Creator and the beauty of the world. They learn about God’s covenantal promises to key Old Testament figures like Abraham and Moses, and reflect on their own responsibility to care for God’s creation.

2. Prophecy and Promise

 

Autumn 2


 

(Advent & Christmas)

 

Pupils examine the messages of the Old Testament prophets who foretold the coming of a Saviour. This branch focusses on expectant waiting during Advent and culminates in the story of the Nativity and the mystery of the Incarnation.

3. From Galilee to Jerusalem

 

Spring 1


 

(Ordinary Time)

Focusing on the life and public ministry of Jesus, children study His parables, miracles, and teachings. They discover what it means to be a disciple and how Jesus revealed the Kingdom of God.

4. From Desert to Garden

 

Spring 2


 

(Lent & Holy Week)

 

Tracing the journey from the desert of Lent to the garden of the Resurrection, pupils study the Paschal Mystery—Jesus’ suffering, death, and Resurrection during Holy Week and Easter.

5. To the Ends of the Earth

.

Summer 1


 

(Eastertide & Pentecost)

 

Children explore the Resurrection, Ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They study how the early Church was born, the work of the Apostles, and the mission of the Catholic Church today.

6. Dialogue and Encounter

 

Summer 2


 

(Ordinary Time)

 

Pupils reflect on how Catholic Social Teaching inspires action for the common good. This branch also introduces other world faiths and world views, building skills for respectful dialogue and community unity.

 

Cookie Policy