Religious Studies

Introduction

Our aim is to give students an opportunity to reflect and learn from other faiths so that they can develop their own beliefs. They are encouraged to celebrate cultural diversity and work towards a more tolerant society. Through learning Religious Studies, our hope is that students will feel able to integrate within our multicultural society more easily and they are given every opportunity to gain a qualification that reflects their ability and potential.

Facilities

The department has access to a wide range of books in the library and artefacts from different religions. The on-line curriculum provides students with an outline of their courses with worksheets and revision sheets. The Religious Studies classroom has 6 computers and projector for multi-media presentations.

Curriculum

In years 7-9, students learn about different faiths, focussing particularly on Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. Units include philosophy, religious art, business ethics, religion and the media, and moral issues. It is an engaging course that creates interest and prepares the students for GCSE.

All GCSE students take a short course in Christianity and Christian Moral Issues, following the OCR syllabus. Students can opt to extend it to a full course qualification, within their GCSE timetable, if they wish. There is an opportunity for students, who are practise faiths other than Christianity, to take a GCSE course in their own faith.

At A-level, the students study ethics and philosophy following the OCR syllabus. They are taught for 4 hours per week. Students with a Religious Studies qualifications usually work towards a humanities degree with the aim to succeed in careers such as journalism, media, business, health and education.

General

Currently, students have the opportunity to visit Alford Church, Manchester Buddhist Centre and Walsingham. The department does not support a confessional teaching approach; however, people from other faiths come to the school to give an opportunity for pupils to ask questions.

Staff