Religious Education

At St Matthew's Church of England Academy, Religious Education is a central part of our curriculum and our Christian vision. Through RE, we aim to nurture children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, helping them to explore life’s big questions, deepen their understanding of faith, and reflect on their own beliefs and values.

Our RE curriculum is rooted in the Church of England’s Statement of Entitlement and follows Understanding Christianity’ and the Stoke on Trent Agreed Syllabus for RE. We provide children with opportunities to learn about Christianity as well as a range of other world faiths and worldviews, developing respect, empathy and curiosity about the beliefs and traditions of others.

We encourage our pupils to think critically, ask questions, and express their ideas with confidence and understanding. RE at St Matthew's CE Academy helps children to appreciate the diversity of our world and prepares them to make positive contributions to their community and beyond, living out our school values of Friendship, Hope, Perseverance, Love, Creativity & Courage.  

Collective Worship

Collective Worship is at the heart of daily life at St Matthew's Church of England Academy. It is a valued time where our whole school community comes together to pause, reflect, and celebrate in an atmosphere of peace and joy.

Our worship is distinctly Christian in nature and rooted in the teachings of Jesus, while also being inclusive and welcoming to all. Through stories, song, prayer, and reflection, we explore our school’s Christian values, helping children to make links between faith and everyday life.

Collective Worship is planned to be engaging, inspiring, and relevant. It encourages children to develop a sense of awe and wonder, to think deeply about moral and spiritual questions, and to grow in understanding of themselves, others, and God. Worship is led by staff, clergy from our local church, visitors, and the children themselves, reflecting our strong partnership with the local parish and wider community.

*Parents retain the legal right to withdraw their child from collective worship, though the school seeks to be welcoming and inclusive so that this is rarely requested. See Academy Policy.