Denominational schools
In many parts of Scotland, local authority schools are either denominational or non-denominational. The great majority of denominational schools are Roman Catholic schools while a small number of schools serve other faith communities. The curriculum for religious and moral education in a denominational school will reflect its particular faith perspective. It will address the aspects which are outlined in the description of expectations for religious and moral education.
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools experiences and outcomes
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
Religious education in Roman Catholic schools takes place within the context of the Catholic faith community. Religious education in Catholic schools is designed to nurture faith and assist children and young people to be able to make an informed response to God in faith.
Children and young people in Catholic schools will be at different places in the spectrum of faith development. While most young people will be of the Catholic tradition, some will be of other denominations and faiths, or have different stances for living.
Religious education should support all children and young people, irrespective of religious affiliation, in their personal search for truth and meaning in life, and so it is central to their educational development. For those who demonstrate active faith participation, however, it also contributes to the development of their personal response to God in faith.
The religious education curriculum offers a valuable contribution to the whole school approach to the development of faith, attitudes and values. Learning through religious education enables children and young people to:
- develop their knowledge and understanding of significant aspects of Catholic Christian faith and an understanding of other Christian traditions and world religions
- investigate and understand the responses which faith offers to questions about truth and the meaning of life
- highlight and foster the values, attitudes and practices which are compatible with a positive response to the invitation to faith
- develop the skills of reflection, discernment, critical thinking, and deciding how to act in accordance with an informed conscience when making moral decisions
- develop their beliefs, attitudes, moral values and practices through personal search, discovery and critical evaluation, and make a positive difference to the world by putting their beliefs and values into action.
Footnote: Religious education in Roman Catholic schools
The position of religious education in denominational schools is set out in statute. In Catholic schools, the Catholic Education Commission has responsibility for the faith content of the curriculum, on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. The Scottish Executive Education Department is working in partnership with the Catholic Education Commission in the development of guidance for Catholic schools in keeping with the values, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excellence. In Catholic schools the term religious education is used in preference to religious and moral education.