What we are trying to achieve with students
The aim of the faculty is to enable our young people to explore important issues in Citizenship, Religion and their own personal health and well-being. Pupils are challenged to discuss and enquire but at the same time respect others beliefs. The faculty is heavily involved in promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students in lessons and through Curriculum Enrichment Days and the Rolling Tutor period.
The courses we run
Key Stage 3
Year 7 pupils are introduced to the history of different religions, exploring the characteristics of the major faiths, they explore different places of worship and look at how different religions celebrate with a variety of festivals. In Year 8 pupils study how religion responds to global issues, how individuals put their faith into action eg. Martin Luther King and Ghandi. Pupils explore the core concepts of Buddhism and enquire into the big questions surrounding the existence of God and belief. Year 9 pupils explore the core concepts of Islam, the sanctity of life and interfaith dialogue. Pupils investigate controversial religious issues and the impact of religion in society and public life.
Key Stage 4
Religious Studies is a full course Edexcel GCSE comprising of two units which are assessed through in exams sat at the end of Year 11.
KS5: Edexcel RS – Philosophy and Ethics
The course provides a critical approach to the consideration of moral and philosophical issues. Students study the theories of Philosophers and apply theories to contemporary issues such as abortion, euthanasia, sexual ethics, war and peace, justice, and law and punishment.
AS units: Foundations: The Philosophy of Religion and Investigations coursework.
A2 units: Developments: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, Implications
Gifted and Talented Students
A Subject Specialist in Religious Education (Key Stage 3) or Religious Studies (Key Stages 4 and 5) pupil may possess the following attributes:
- Can enquire with ease and apply this in depth knowledge
- Can empathise with ease in terms of worship, beliefs and commitment of others
- Can reason with ease in terms of exploration of conceptual ideas
- Can evaluate with ease considering implications of belief and action
- Can communicate with ease to describe religious experiences and make use of appropriate religious language
Citizenship and Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE)
Key Stage 3
Pupils study a variety of topics which highlight the importance of local, national and global rights and responsibilities. Areas of study include: Crime Awareness and Law, Media and society, Peace, War and Global Issues, Human Rights, Democracy and Personal Health and safety. Some of the important PSHEE topics such as Relationships, Drugs and Alcohol are also covered in Curriculum Enrichment Days with the support of outside agencies and theatre groups.
Key Stage 4
Students study the following Citizenship related topics in their non-assessed CZ+ lessons:
- Power, Politics and the Media,
- Society, Community and Place in the world,
- Economy and Personal Finance
- Local and Global Issues
- Rights and Responsibilities
Students study the following topics in their non-assessed PSHE lessons and through Curriculum Enrichment Days:
- Sex and Relationships
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Identity and Body Image
Key Stage 5
Edexcel RS – Philosophy and Ethics
The A level course RS (Philosophy and Ethics) provides a critical approach to the consideration of moral and philosophical issues. Students study the theories of Philosophers and apply theories to contemporary issues such as abortion, euthanasia, sexual ethics, war and peace, justice, and law and punishment. At AS level the units studied are Foundations:The Philosophy of Religion and Investigations coursework. At A2 the units comprise of Developments: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, Implications
Items of particular interest
RE
- Yr 7 Visit to Holy Trinity Church
- Yr 9 Participation in RE film festival
- KS3 Debating Club
- Harvest Festival assembly and collection of produce for the local community
- KS5 Philosophy and Ethics Conference at St Mary’s school, Ascot
- KS5 Catholic Workers visit and Fundraising
Citizenship
KS3
- ‘Healthy Living day’
- Relationships Day
- Drugs and Alcohol Awareness day
- Garden design competition
KS4
- Careers and Enterprise Education
- Sex and Relationship day
The Faculty also works closely with the Police Liaison Officer who delivers assemblies and also the RBWM School nurse team and other youth workers, Education Theatre companies and financial experts who work with the pupils.