Discerning Disciples – Our New Religious Education Curriculum

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary Academy, Christ is at the heart of everything we do. As a
Catholic school within the Archdiocese of Birmingham, we are committed to providing an
outstanding Religious Education that nurtures children’s faith, knowledge, understanding and
spiritual growth.
From September 2026, we will be teaching Discerning Disciples, the new Religious
Education curriculum developed for Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
Rooted in the Church’s new Religious Education Directory, To Know You More Clearly, this
curriculum places Christ at the centre of learning and supports children in growing as
confident, knowledgeable and faith-filled disciples of Jesus Christ.

What Is “Discerning Disciples”?
Discerning Disciples is a curriculum designed to help children:
● Encounter Scripture and understand God’s Word
● Explore the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church
● Celebrate and understand the liturgical year
● Reflect on how they are called to live out the Gospel in their daily lives
Through engaging lessons, prayer, liturgy, discussion and opportunities for service, children
deepen their understanding of faith and learn how to apply it in meaningful ways.

A key part of Discerning Disciples is helping children put their faith into action. Pupils learn
how Gospel values guide the choices they make and how they can contribute positively to
their community. Acts of service, charitable work and reflection on Catholic Social Teaching
help children understand their responsibility to care for others and for creation.

Our Vision for Every Child
Our aim is that every child leaves St Mary’s as a discerning disciple:
● Confident in their faith
● Respectful and compassionate towards others
● Spiritually curious and reflective
● Ready to respond to God’s call in their lives
Through Discerning Disciples, we seek to form children who know Christ more clearly, love
Him more dearly and follow Him more nearly each day.
More information can be found here: