Religious Studies Department

Religious Studies

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General Aims

To provide for the spiritual, moral and academic needs of the pupil. To be a department from which the Catholic ethos emanates. The Department aims not just to nurture and nourish the faith of the pupil but to equip them with the knowledge and skills which will enable them to defend that faith.

Specific Aims

The Religious Studies department aims to:

  • lead all pupils to an experience of Jesus Christ through teacher relationships with them, through liturgies and other prayer experiences.
  • continue the work of Parents and Church in handing on the faith.
  • provide opportunities for pupils to develop a mature understanding of their Catholic faith.
  • encourage all pupils in the pursuit of academic excellence within this subject area.
  • develop pupils ability to think about and judge moral situations.
  • deepen their appreciation for other religious denominations and world religions

Curriculum


KS3

Years 8 -10 pupils follow the Fully Alive program. Over a two week timetable, the Year 8 program is delivered over five 50 minute periods and the Year 9-10 program is delivered over four 50 minute periods.

Year 8 topics:
Bible, Baptism, Mass, Holy Land and Mass

Year 9 topics:
Creation, Environment, Morality, Christian Church and Judaism.

Year 10 topics include:
Prayer, Beatitudes, Justice. St. Paul and St. Mark.

A variety of methodologies are adopted in the delivery of the content taking account of the different learning styles. Opportunities are identified which allow pupils to improve their thinking skills and develop their personal capabilities.

KS4

At Key Stage 4, Religious Studies is a compulsory subject. Currently, the Year 11 pupils are following the AQA Specification. The options include:

  • The Christian life and St. Mark's Gospel
  • Effects of the Roman Catholic Tradition upon aspects of Christian lifestyle and behaviour. 

There is no coursework option. The current Year 12 pupils are following the CCEA Specification. This year group will complete two pieces of coursework worth 20% combined. The courses are taught in a challenging, effective manner and assessed regularly.

Religious Studies is offered at AS and A2 level. Two subject areas must be studied. 6 modules are examined within these areas over the two years: Three in L6th and three in U6th. To ensure consistency and continuity, the modules within each subject area are prepared and taught by the same teacher.

AS

At AS level, two subject areas are assessed:
One from

  • The early Christian Church
  • The Celtic Church 5th, 6th, 7th centuries
  • Luke's Gospel

Each module is worth 15% . Coursework is a third component also assessed at this level and is worth 20%. Pupils can choose which area of study on which to base their coursework.

A2

At A2 level,  two subject areas are assessed:
One from

  • The early Christian Church
  • The Celtic Church 5th, 6th, 7th centuries
  • Luke's Gospel

Each module is worth 15, (This choice is determined by the choices made at AS level.) The third module is called the Synoptic Assessment (A29). This compulsory unit provides pupils with the opportunity to draw together aspects of the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired throughout their course and to apply these to an exploration of one or two set themes for assessment which are (a) Faith or (b) Sin or Alienation. This module is worth 20%.

Resources

The members of the Religious Studies department have access to their own room, equipped with the following:

  • Computer and projector.
  • Learning Resources which provide support materials for teachers and pupils.
  • Television and video player
  • Relevant text books for all pupils

One RE classroom has an interactive whiteboard which other RE classes can use.Teachers also have access to

  • An ICT suite
  • A set of bibles for use with classes.