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Religious Studies

The RE department aims to 'promote pupil's moral, spiritual and cultural development'  (QCA RE Non-statutory guidance on RE page 13) It aims to do this through offering the following opportunities in the curriculum.It is hoped that the Quaker ethos embedded in the rest of the school is complimented in the work of this department. 

Key stage 3.  Years 7 - 9.
Pupils study the six main religions of the world - Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. There is a component of Christianity as well as a strand of Quakerism taught throughout each year of this key stage.

Trips include a visit to the Makhyamaka Buddhist and the Beth Shalom centres. We also have an annual visit from Roop Singh who runs a workshop on Sikhism. Durga Sundara who is a present parent has very kindly conducted a puja ceremony for pupils during the Hinduism module.  The department has also visited the centre for school visits at the Minster.

Memorial to 'The lost children' at Beth Shalom

Key stage 4 - GCSE. Years 10 ,11.
There are two courses offered at key Stage 4:

1. GCSE RS. Pupils study the AQA - Specification B - ‘Religious Philosophy and Ultimate Question course in year 10 and are examined on this at the end of the year in a public exam.  This counts for 50% of the final mark.
Pupils then study the AQA – Specification B ‘Religion and Morality’ course in year 11 and are examined on this module at the end of year in a public exam.  The two components are then put together to achieve a GCSE in RS.  There is no coursework for this GCSE.

2.  All other pupils study a general RE course based on the GCSE but not in so much depth.

Reflecting during a visit to the Beth Shalom Centre

A level.

Pupils follow the EDEXCEL (8RS01/ 9RS01) 'Philosophy of Religion and Ethics' course.

• AS RS. This consists of two units – a ‘foundations module’ that introduces some key areas in the philosophy of religion and ethics. This is examined in an exam of an hour and 45 minutes.  The other module is an individual ‘Investigation’ into an area of interest from the following topics:  religious experience, mind/body problem, anthropology, sociology and the psychology of religion, the thought of a philosopher of religion, medical ethics, ethical issues in the natural world and equality. This is examined in an hour and 15 minutes exam.
• A2 RS. This consists of two units. The first module called ‘Developments’ covers the philosophy of religion and ethics in more depth. This is examined in an hour and 45 minutes. The other module which is called ‘Implications’ is an in depth look at philosophical texts and their relevance to modern day life.
  

Trips include attending day courses in London, Manchester and York St John (Leeds University).

Lessons mostly take place in Room A which has the enviable reputation in the school as having the best view of the Minster. It is a large and spacious room with windows on two sides overlooking the school grounds.

Interviewing a survivor of the 'Kindertransport'