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In Key Stage 3, Religious Studies is taught as a discrete subject to all pupils. The aim of the course is to provide the boys with a sound background to the six major world religions. Much of the course involves discussion and students are encouraged to express their considered views with tolerance and respect.. The course we follow uses the text, “Framework RE,” along with other resources to complement the teaching. In the three years of Key Stage 3, the boys are encouraged to examine what it means to “be religious?” and what impact religion has on the world. The relationship between science and faith is just one of the areas covered. Examples are drawn from the six major world religions. In the first year at the school, the introductory unit looks at religion in general – what does it mean to be religious? To do this students examine how and why people are religious, Year 8 builds on those foundations It looks at the idea of truth, of “knowing” as opposed to “believing” – asking whether religion can be “true”, and how it can be true. The course moves on to look at the evidence on which religion is based, what is meant by “authority” – both with religious leaders and with religious texts. In the final year of Key Stage 3, the course moves to: Examine the impact of religion on individuals or the world. See how the impact differs between and within religions. Ask why good and evil should exist ? And finally big issues are examined, as for example, the relationship between religions and the use of money and other resources, and the problem of beliefs leading to conflict in the world. In Key Stage 4 - Religious Studies - GCSE & Non-exam There is a group who study for the Edexcel GCSE exam in Religious Studies in Years 10 and 11. The course followed is in two modules – Religion and Life from the viewpoint of Christianity and one other religion - studied in Year 10 & in Year 11, one further module from St Mark’s Gospel or a further religion. At present, the Year 11 course has some students taking the St Mark option, others the Christianity option, a third group Buddhism & others – Hinduism & Islam. All students in years 10 and 11 follow a course of Personal Development which contains elements of Religious Studies but does not lead to a public examination. The RS content is based on a Short Course GCSE, but without that exam pressure, so that there is opportunity to discuss current issues as they arise. This course also covers much of the statutory requirement for Citizenship. In Key Stage 5 - Religious Studies at GCE AS & A2 Level The Edexcel A level Religious Studies course is followed. Year 12 and Year 13 students study units in Philosophy and Ethics. Non-exam For all those in Years 12 & 13, there is also a statutory requirement for Religious Studies to be taught, and the General Studies course has modules in both years that deal with matters of Faith and Ethics. In addition, a Religious Studies Seminar Series takes place in the Summer Term for year 12 after they have completed the AS examinations. Themes have included “Make Poverty History”, “Our Environment”, “Attitudes to The Disadvantaged” and last year, “Justice in an unjust world” Guest speakers from various faith communities have led these. Hugh Thomas Head of Religious Studies |
