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.

Course Curriculum

Key stage 3. Years 7 – 9

Year 7 pupils are introduced to the Quaker ethos of the school and Quaker beliefs and practices are explored in units throughout Key Stage 3 and the rest of the Key Stage curriculum is based around a series of textbooks and interactive whiteboard resources called ‘Think RE’. This is a thematic approach covering all six major world religions by studying their main beliefs about important issues like the nature of God, prejudice, the environment etc.

A religion such as Sikhism, for example, is brought to life by inviting a speaker such as Roop Singh to talk to the pupils. Visits to places of worship such as The Minster are arranged where possible.

Key stage 4 - GCSE. Years 10 ,11

There are two courses offered at key Stage 4:
1. GCSE RS. Pupils study the OCR - Specification B - 'Religious Philosophy and Applied Ethics.

Course Outline:

Units One and Two: Religious Philosophy

• Religious and Spiritual Experience
• The End of Life
• Good and Evil
• Religion and Science

Units Three and Four: Applied Ethics

• Religion and Medical Ethics
• Religion, Poverty and Wealth
• Religion and Equality
• Religion, Peace and Justice

Assessment

Two of these units will be examined at the end of the Lower Senior year in two examinations of one hour each. This counts for 50% of the GCSE.

The other two units will be examined at the end of the Upper Senior year in two further examinations of one hour each. This will count for the other 50% of a full GCSE qualification in RS.

All GCSE pupils are also timetabled for an extra period of general RE which they may use for private study.

2. All other pupils study a general RE course loosely based on the GCSE curriculum. Topics are explored through discussion, debates and various types of media.

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.

Memorial to 'The lost children' at Beth Shalom

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

Lessons mostly take place in a recently renovated classroom called Room S which has interactive resources on tap. This is a bright, versatile and attractive space which allows more modern and traditional methods of delivering the subject possible.