RE Curriculum Map

Autumn 1- Creation & Covenant

Autumn 2 - Prophecy & Promise

Spring 1 - Galilee to Jerusalem

Spring 2 - Desert to Garden

Summer 1 - To the Ends of the Earth

Summer 2 - Other Faiths; Dialogue and Encounter 

Year 5 RE – Autumn 1

Branch One: Creation and Covenant

In the first RE topic of the year, our Year 5 pupils explore some of the most important stories and teachings from the Old Testament, focusing especially on Moses, the Ten Commandments, and the idea of covenant—God’s special promise to His people. Pupils also learn how these teachings continue to shape Christian living today.

 

What the children learn in this topic

1. God’s Covenants – Promises Through History

The unit begins with an introduction to covenants—special, binding promises God makes with His people.
Children learn about:

• God’s covenant with Noah (the rainbow)
• God’s covenant with Abraham (many descendants)
• God’s covenant with Moses (the Ten Commandments)

These stories help pupils understand that God remains faithful and guides His people throughout history.

2. Moses – Called by God

Pupils explore two key events in the life of Moses:

• The Burning Bush, where God calls Moses and reveals His name
• The Covenant at Mount Sinai, when God gives the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites

Children reflect on how God chose Moses for a special mission and how Moses’ leadership shaped the identity of God’s people.

3. The Ten Commandments – Living in Freedom

Children learn that the commandments were not meant to limit the Israelites, but to help them live good, free and happy lives after escaping slavery in Egypt.
They explore:

• Why rules are important
• How the commandments protect relationships and promote fairness
• How Jesus summarised all commandments into two simple teachings:
  Love God and Love your neighbour

Pupils consider what the world might look like if everyone kept these commandments.

4. Understanding Sin and Forgiveness

Children are taught that sin means deliberately hurting our relationship with God or others.
They explore:

• How our choices affect friendships
• How to reflect on our actions (examining our conscience)
• How Christians seek forgiveness and try to make things right

This helps pupils grow in responsibility and empathy.

5. Catholic Social Teaching – Loving Our Neighbour Today

Later in the unit, pupils learn how Christians put Jesus’ teachings into practice in the modern world.
They explore key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, including:

• The dignity of every person
• Caring for those in need
• The common good
• Welcoming the stranger

Using the Parable of the Good Samaritan, children consider what loving our neighbour looks like today—especially towards those who are vulnerable, such as asylum seekers and refugees. 

6. Virtues – Building Good Habits

Pupils learn that virtues are positive habits that help people make good choices and flourish.
They explore:

• The cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance
• The theological virtues: faith, hope and love
• How practising these virtues helps them be kinder, stronger and more thoughtful members of their school and wider community

Children also reflect on their own habits and how they can grow “in virtue”.
 

Why this learning matters

Through this topic, children:

• Gain a deeper understanding of key Old Testament stories
• See how God guides and cares for His people
• Learn how Christian teachings encourage fairness, kindness, and responsibility
• Reflect on how to make good choices and build positive habits
• Understand their own role in making the world a better place

At St Philip Evans, this branch helps pupils connect Scripture with real‑life values—shaping them into thoughtful, compassionate and faith‑filled young people.

Year 5 RE – Autumn 2

Branch Two: Prophecy and Promise

In Autumn Term 2, our Year 5 pupils explore Prophecy and Promise—a unit that helps them understand how God chooses leaders, keeps His promises, and prepares His people for the coming of Jesus. Through Bible stories, prayer, art and reflection, children learn how God works through ordinary people to bring about extraordinary things.

 

What children learn in this topic

1. The Story of David – God Chooses the Unexpected

Children study key moments in the life of King David, including:

• His anointing as a young shepherd boy
• How he united the tribes of Israel
• His courage in the story of David and Goliath
• His qualities as a leader, shepherd and king

They reflect on how God often chooses those who seem unlikely in the world’s eyes, encouraging pupils to consider the qualities God values—faithfulness, humility and courage.

2. David as a Model of Prayer

Pupils explore Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd") and learn how David used prayer to trust and depend on God.
They consider:

• Why God is described as a shepherd
• How Christians today still use psalms to pray
• How David’s trust in God can guide their own lives

3. God’s Promise to David

Children learn that God made a special covenant (promise) with David—that his descendants would form an everlasting kingdom.
They discover how Christians believe Jesus fulfils this promise, as shown in:

• Matthew’s genealogy (Jesus’ family tree)
• Luke’s Gospel, where Jesus is announced as a king whose reign will last forever

This helps pupils understand the connection between the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus.

4. The O Antiphons – Preparing for Jesus in Advent

As part of their Advent preparation, children learn about the ancient Advent prayers known as the O Antiphons, prayed in the days before Christmas.
These prayers each give Jesus a title, such as:

• O Wisdom
• O Key of David
• O Emmanuel (God with us)

Pupils explore these titles, their meanings, and how Christians use them to reflect on Jesus’ coming.

5. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”

Linked to the Antiphons, children study the well‑known Advent hymn and explore how its verses connect Old Testament hope with the coming of Jesus.

6. The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

Pupils learn that the Rosary is a prayer that helps Christians reflect on Jesus’ life.
In this unit, they focus on the Joyful Mysteries, which remember:

• The Annunciation
• The Visitation
• The Nativity
• The Presentation in the Temple
• The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

They reflect on what these moments mean for Christian life today. 
 

Why this learning matters

Through this branch, pupils:

• See how God works through ordinary people like David
• Understand Jesus as the fulfilment of God’s ancient promises
• Learn that prayer helps Christians grow in trust
• Explore Advent as a season of hope and preparation
• Reflect on how they can show courage, faith and service in their own lives

At St Philip Evans, this topic helps children grow in understanding, faith and compassion—deepening their sense of belonging to a community preparing for the coming of Christ.

Year 5 RE – Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem (Spring Term 1)

St Philip Evans RC Primary School

In this branch of Religious Education, our Year 5 pupils explore some of the most important teachings and events in the life of Jesus. The unit helps children understand how Jesus calls us to live, how he reveals who he is, and how we are invited into a loving relationship with God.

What the children learn

1. The Beatitudes – A New Way of Living

Children learn about the Beatitudes, Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount that describe what it means to live a truly blessed and faith‑filled life.
They explore how these teachings build on the Ten Commandments and how Christian virtues—especially hope and love—help us live them out today.

2. The Great Commandment

Through comparing the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, pupils reflect on Jesus’ “new law”:
“Love the Lord your God… and love your neighbour as yourself.”
They consider what this looks like in everyday life and how Christians today try to follow this teaching.

3. Parables That Show God’s Love

Children study parables that show how Jesus asks us to treat others—such as the Good Samaritan, the Lost Son, or the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Through these stories, pupils reflect on compassion, forgiveness and what it means to be a true neighbour.

4. The Transfiguration

Pupils learn about this extraordinary moment when Jesus revealed his divine glory to Peter, James and John.
They explore why Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, and what this tells Christians about who Jesus is.

5. The Our Father – The Perfect Prayer

Children examine the Our Father, the prayer Jesus gave to his followers.
They learn about the seven petitions (requests) within the prayer and reflect on why Jesus invites us to call God “Father”.

6. Living Out Jesus’ Teaching

Throughout the branch, pupils are encouraged to make links between scripture and their own lives.
They reflect on how showing faith, hope and love can transform their families, friendships and school community.

Why this learning matters

This branch helps children to:

• Understand Jesus’ central message of love, compassion and mercy.
• Recognise how Christian teachings guide our choices.
• Reflect deeply on their relationship with God.
• See how following Jesus’ example can make a positive difference in the world around them.

At St Philip Evans, our aim is for pupils not only to learn about Jesus’ teachings, but to live them—becoming children of hope, kindness and faith.

Class Chaplains

Across the school, each class have selected their Class Chaplains. Our Class Chaplains role is to enhance and promote the Catholic life of the school. Below are some photos of them putting their faith into action and leading year 5 in daily worship. Class Chaplains also support and lead the daily Prayers using ten ten, as well leading spontaneous morning or afternoon prayer and also our daily examen.