Religious Education is the core of the core curriculum; therefore, it is a central aspect within the College as well as within the curriculum, with all students studying it at GCSE level. All sixth form students attend core RE and have the opportunity to study Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at A-Level. The Religious Education curriculum enables students to relate the knowledge gained through religious education to their understanding of other subjects in the curriculum The Salesian ethos and our Mission Statement is embedded within the Religious Education Curriculum. The Religious Education team support students to flourish, so that they can surpass their incredible potential.
Within the curriculum we aim to recognise each student’s own worth. We respect other people’s beliefs and values. The Religious Education Curriculum allows students to explore their own faith, study the sacramental nature of the church and discuss the meaning of living out the Gospel’s today.
Pupils have many opportunities to enhance their knowledge, both spiritually and academically with support from our Salesian Sisters and wider Salesian Family. All year groups participate in annual retreats and have the opportunity to attend local and national youth gatherings.
Mrs D Tomkins - Head of RE and Catholic Life
Mrs T Mathias - Teacher of RE / Nurture Manager
Miss M Murphy - KS3 Curriculum Co-ordinator for RE
Mrs M Murphy - Teacher of RE / ECT & ITT Support Officer
Miss H O’Brein - Teacher of RE
Mrs A Quirk - School Chaplain
The Key Stage 3 Curriculum has been created to deliver schemes of learning which are compliant with the Religious Education Directory, The Key Stage 3 Curriculum is therefore mapped according to the Religious Education Directory framework: ‘To know you More Clearly’, which includes programmes of study that are approved by the Bishops Conference.
The curriculum enables students in Key Stage 3 to engage in a systematic study of the mystery of God, of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, the teachings of the Church, the central beliefs that Catholics hold, the basis for them and the relationship between faith and life enables students continually to deepen their religious and theological understanding. The Curriculum presents an authentic vision of the Church’s moral and social teaching, providing students with a guide for living and the tools to critically engage with contemporary culture and society. ‘To know you more clearly’ provides students with an understanding of different worldviews present in the world today and the skills to engage in respectful and fruitful dialogue with those whose worldviews differ from their own.
‘The outcome of excellent religious education is religiously literate and consciously engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding, and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who recognise the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.’ (Religious Education Directory)
The Key Stage 3 Curriculum is sequential and progressive, enabling students to build upon previous learning year upon year. It is based on 6 main branches of study:
Creation and Covenant
Prophecy and Promise
Galilee to Jerusalem
Desert to garden
To the ends of the Earth
Dialogue and Encounter
Students in Key Stage 4 students follow Edexcel Specification A: Faith and Practice in the 21st Century. By the end of Key Stage 4, students will have a deeper understanding of Catholic Christianity and Judaism, in addition to studying Philosophy and Ethics.
At the end of Year 11, students are expected to complete three separate examination papers. The marks of these papers are combined together to produce one overall grading.
Paper 1: Catholic Christianity (50% of overall grade)
Paper 2: Judaism (25% of overall grade)
Paper 3: Philosophy and Ethics (25% of overall grade)
Year 10
In term 3 of Year 10, students study the content of Paper 3: Philosophy and Ethics. This area of study comprises a study in depth of aspects of Philosophy and Ethics in the context of Catholic Christianity as a lived religion within the United Kingdom and throughout the world. There are two sections: Arguments for the Existence of God; Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the 21st Century. The significance and importance of the various beliefs, issues and practices to Catholics today should be explored throughout the two sections. This should include reference to how the Bible informs a Christian’s understanding of the topics and how approaches to the issues are underpinned by philosophical arguments and ethical theory as applicable.
Year 11
In terms 1 and 2 of Year 11, students study Paper 2: Judaism. This area of study comprises a study in depth of Judaism as a lived religion in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. There are two sections: Beliefs and Teachings and Practices. Students will be expected to study Judaism within the context of the wider British society, the religious traditions of which are, in the main, Christian. Students should recognise that Judaism is one of the many religious traditions in Great Britain, which include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Students should also recognise that within Judaism there may be more than one perspective in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Common and divergent views within Judaism in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed are included throughout; including reference to Orthodox, Reform and Liberal traditions.
Edexcel Religious Studies
Qualification Details – Edexcel A-Level Religious Studies:
Paper 1: Philosophy
Paper 2: Ethics
Paper 3: New Testament Studies
Over the two years students will prepare for three A Level Papers:
[KS5 A LEVEL PAPERS TABLE LINK]
Core RE
All students in years 12 & 13 will participate in 1 hour of Core RE a week.
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