Religious Education

Curriculum Aims

A child’s journey in R.E. begins with understanding that they are unique and special and realising that God ‘has not created me for naught.’ Their R.E. journey allows pupils to consider and reflect on some of the very questions that have dominated the thoughts of civilisations for centuries, ‘Why am I here?’ Where did I come from? What is the purpose of life’ Just as the philosophers of ancient Greece battled to find answers to the origins of the world, central to the curriculum is our shared endeavour to help students discern the meaning of their own existence and invite them to respond to the call along their journey to respond to the message of Jesus Christ.

In their mission to discern the work that God has assigned to them our students become  philosophers, theologians, historians, artists, explorers, writers problem solvers, innovators, motivational speakers, activists, pioneers and story-tellers. We challenge our students and foster in them the importance of living out their faith and realising that “God has created me to do Him some definite service’

Our students take centre stage of their own learning through debates, group work and the use of religious artefacts to gain knowledge and understanding of their own faith and the awareness of the faith traditions of other religions. Through exploring the Gospel values, our students understand how to apply these to their own lives as they respond to Christ’s call. 

Curriculum Features

At key stage three, we celebrate the wonder of God’s revelation, life in Jesus, Celebration and the Church. Students will explore the connection between R.E. and other subjects and how R.E. can help with the understanding of other subjects such as science and history. Learning is centred on the liturgical calendar and how we can live out the sacramental life of the school. Students will have the opportunity to meet and get to know the parish priests as they are regular visitors to school, as well as have the opportunity to meet Christians from other denominations as we seek to meet and learn how others live out their faith. In keeping with this, we celebrate Inter-Faith week across the school to help students understand the rich diversity of faiths that make up our local community and beyond.

Students will be inspired to love their learning in R.E.  through drama, creative expression through writing and art as we support them to think spiritually, ethically and theologically.  Students will have the chance to explore exciting topics such as the Creation of the world, morality and questions such as why should I be moral? How should I decide what to do?  Students will then continue on their journey to Key Stage four where they explore in further detail both our collective and individual Catholic identity, through examination of key concepts such as the Incarnation and Salvation and understanding links to scripture, the Catechism and the wisdom of Catholic men and women. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their philosophical understanding through debating the arguments for God’s existence and then deepening their ability to think ethically in examining issues relating to family life. Dynamic debates can often be heard as students challenge one another’s views whilst always treating each other with respect and valuing everyone’s voice. In preparing our students to become citizens of the world and to treat others with respect, students also have the opportunity to delve more deeply in to the beliefs and practices of Judaism and consider the similarities and differences with Christianity.

At the heart of the curriculum is the recognition that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Not only does this influence our students in the way they interact and respect one another but also inspires our students to take an active part in issues of injustice, such as poverty, discrimination and climate change. As young activists we encourage students in their collective and individual social responsibility.  This extends outside of the classroom in the form of charity work and other enrichment opportunities such as the school parliament.

In the 6^th form, as students grow more confident in their  own role as a ‘link in the chain’, they have the opportunity to respond to Jesus’ call and take their faith out in to the world, through charity work, particularly through the school’s involvement in the KISS charity. The school’s involvement with this charity has had a profound effect on those who have visited Uganda and helps students realise that education is not simply about achieving the best grades.

For those wishing to pursue R.E. at A-level, they will have the opportunity to master the skills and concepts they have been learning about since they started in year 7; Philosophy, Ethics and New Testament Studies. The academic challenge of R.E. equips our students to continue their studies at the finest universities, studying a broad range of degrees, from medicine to journalism.

The department of dynamic, highly-skilled, ambitious and compassionate teachers are committed to supporting students along their voyage as they become more self-aware and help them to realise when they become  a pupil here they matter, they are important, they are some body; they are ‘a link in the chain’.

Co-curricular experiences

The inherent value and dignity of every child is enhanced in R.E through retreat opportunities such as Friendship Days in year 7. We also have a designated nurture group in R.E. to support and help those who need it. The careful cultivation of students’ spirituality and faith is further maintained through the topics we study but also outside of the classroom. Opportunity for private reflection through visits to the Chapel and pilgrimages to places such as Walsingham enrich students’ spiritual experience at school, whilst visits to other places of worship deepen their understanding of other faith traditions. All of this helps to create students who are engaged, respectful of others’ view, socially aware and with a deepened sense of themselves as spiritual beings

The inherent value and dignity of every child is enhanced in R.E through retreat opportunities such as Friendship Days in year 7. We also have a designated nurture group in R.E. to support and help those who need it. The careful cultivation of students’ spirituality and faith is further maintained through the topics we study but also outside of the classroom. Opportunity for private reflection through visits to the Chapel and pilgrimages to places such as Walsingham enrich students’ spiritual experience at school, whilst visits to other places of worship deepen their understanding of other faith traditions. All of this helps to create students who are engaged, respectful of others’ view, socially aware and with a deepened sense of themselves as spiritual beings.

We look forward therefore to welcoming you to the R.E. department; let the journey begin!

What follows is a current summary of the intended subject curriculum content in each year of the key stage.  It highlights the key knowledge and skills intended for learning, and some of the ways progress in the curriculum is to be assessed.  It clarifies the key questions students should be addressing and gives links to help students and families to develop this learning further.