The Team

Mrs I Campbell	Teacher of Ethics
Miss S Conway	Teacher of Religious Education
Ms H Fogell	Teacher of Philosophy
Mr D Legrand	Teacher of Philosophy and Christianity
Mrs M Morling	Teacher of Christianity
Miss F Pollard	Teacher of Ethics
Mr M Steady	Teacher of Philosophy

Introduction to the Department

Welcome to the Religious Education Department. At the core of Catholic education lies the Christian vision of the human person. This vision is expressed and explored in classroom religious education. Therefore, classroom religious education is at the heart of our school’s mission to be ‘Christ to all’. Our purpose is to provide students with a rigorous academic experience in which to engage with the deepest questions of life and find reasons for hope. 

Key Stage 3 Information

The Key Stage 3 programme of study follows the new Religious Education Directory “To know you more clearly” (2023) where students are invited to encounter the Catholic faith and beliefs throughout their study in a way that respects their individual religious identity. Through a spiral curriculum, students secure their knowledge underpinning foundational Catholic beliefs while extending their religious experiences, responding to key ideas and concepts in a way that reflects their own spiritual identity, as well as encountering a variety of faiths and world views.  Furthermore, the consistent theme of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) throughout the three years enables all students to develop the knowledge and virtues that will allow them to be empathetic and resourceful individuals who will exemplify the values of service, tolerance and kindness to all around them.

Year 7

The focus for Year 7 is the concept of Revelation and the way that this has gradually unfolded through salvation history. 

In Creation & Covenant we learn about different types of revelation and consider what God reveals to mankind through the Creation stories and the existence of humans.  In Prophecy & Promise we investigate the concept of special revelation and the significance of Sacred Scripture. In Galilee to Jerusalem, we study core Catholic beliefs such as the Incarnation and the Trinity, including reference to the Council of Nicea. Desert to Garden deepens students’ understanding of the sacraments and their significance, including the transformative presence of Christ in each.  There is a particular focus on the Sacrament of the Eucharist in this unit as well as its importance for Catholics. To the Ends of the Earth allows students to engage with the concept of the Holy Spirit as a form of revelation and to understand the impact of the presence of the Spirit within the Church today. 

In Dialogue and Encounter we take our lead from Ecclesiam Suam (1964) in considering the role of dialogue firstly within the Church and the use of Church Councils (Jerusalem, Trent, Nicea) to establish Catholic dogma. Students are then invited to apply the knowledge gained throughout the year as we encounter the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism and Islam in relation to our curriculum learning, and students of those faiths will have opportunities to bear witness to their beliefs should they wish to do so.

Year 8 

The focus of Year 8 is the human condition and some of the ‘big’ questions that humanity has discussed since the dawn of time – the meaning of suffering, what happens when we die and whether God loves us.

In Creation & Covenant we review the events of The Fall in Genesis 3 and consider the implications of this for both humans and the world, including the concepts of ‘original’ and ‘personal’ sin.  Prophecy & Promise examines the covenantal agreements between God and mankind and the promise of a Messiah who would enable human beings to restore and maintain covenant fidelity. Galilee to Jerusalem demonstrates that Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s prophecies and helps students to understand the ways in which Jesus taught us about the Kingdom of God and what the restoration will look like. Desert to Garden encompasses the mystery of suffering (also known as the Problem of Evil) and seeks to transform the understanding of suffering in the light of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. In To the Ends of the Earth, students look at what Jesus’ defeat of death in the Resurrection means for humans and Catholic beliefs about life after death.

In Dialogue and Encounter we extend our understanding of dialogue as outlined in Ecclesiam Suam to consider the relationships between the Catholic Church and other Christian Churches, and the ways that they both share beliefs and work together for the common good. Students then delve further into encountering the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism and Islam in relation to our curriculum learning, where once again students of those faiths will have opportunities to bear witness to their beliefs should they wish to do so.

Year 9 

The focus of Year 9 is the mystery of the human person and the roles that individual humans occupy in God’s plan.

In Creation & Covenant students revisit the Creation stories, focusing on the Catholic concept of Imago Dei and how this underpins CST and the dignity of every human person, as well as the equal value of men and women.  This also includes study of the Sacrament of Marriage and the nature of humans as sexual beings.  In Prophecy & Promise we look at the role of women in salvation history, particularly the Blessed Virgin Mary.  In Galilee to Jerusalem students are invited to understand and respond to the Gospel of Mark and the call to discipleship which is inherent within it.  We also explore the idea of individual vocation and how to discern this, in addition to the call to discipleship that is open to all.  Desert to Garden details the mystery of redemption and helps students to understand the connection between Jesus’ sacrifice and our individual redemption from sin.  To the Ends of the Earth demonstrates the role of each person as a member of a larger human community that is present both in heaven and on earth when we consider the ‘Body of Christ’ and the ‘Communion of Saints’.

In Dialogue and Encounter we return to Ecclesiam Suam’s understanding of dialogue and the Church’s work with faiths beyond the Christian community to understand how fruitful dialogue can be underpinned by common goals such as respect for the person and peace and security.  Students are then invited to encounter and respond to dharmic views (Hinduism) and other world views (Humanism, Atheism) in connection with the learning of our three-year curriculum.

*Please note that the Year 9 RED curriculum will be implemented in September 2025 in alignment with diocesan guidance.  For the academic year 2024-2025, the curriculum covered will include the study of Islam, Jesus as the Word of God, Discipleship and the Kingdom of God, Love and Relationships, and Origins and Meaning (the first unit of the Religious Studies Eduqas GCSE Catholic Christianity course).

Religious Education also contributes to the school’s provision of Sex and Relationships Education. The Key Stage 3 curriculum includes age-appropriate content for each year covering, for example, issues related to friendships, different types of family life, love and marriage. The lessons promote examination and debate relevant to Catholic Church teaching. The aim is for students to understand what the Church teaches and the reasoning behind the teachings.

Key Stage 4 Information

As a core subject, all students study GCSE Religious Studies. The course enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of Catholic Christianity, exploring both beliefs and practices. Students also need to demonstrate an understanding of similarities and differences within and between religions. In recognition of the diversity of belief and practice in Great Britain, students study Atheist and Humanist beliefs for Component 1 and Jewish beliefs for Component 3. The course provides many opportunities for discussion and reflection on one’s own values and beliefs, as well as facilitating students’ ability to analyse and evaluate aspects of religion and belief. 

FUTURE ACADEMIC AND CAREER PATHWAYS

The skills of religious knowledge, understanding, analysis and evaluation will benefit students in many different fields of study and employment. A good grade at GCSE will help students progress to A Level Religious Studies, and will be of benefit for other subjects such as English, History and Sociology. The GCSE Religious Studies course prepares students for life in a pluralistic society and for a wide range of careers in which demonstrating understanding of and respect for people of different cultures and beliefs is important. Careers in which this GCSE may be of particular help include the police, the legal profession, aid work, journalism, politics, the armed forces and the caring professions (e.g. medical, social work and teaching).

COURSE CONTENT

Students study Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies route B.

Year 10 

Component 1 – Foundational Catholic Theology

• Theme 1 – Origins and meaning
• Theme 2 – Good and evil

Component 3 – Judaism

• Beliefs and teachings
• Practices

Year 11

Component 2 – Applied Catholic Theology

• Theme 3 – Life and death
• Theme 4 – Sin and forgiveness

ASSESSMENT

Component 1 – Written exam of 90 minutes, worth 37.5% of the total marks

Component 2 – Written exam of 90 minutes, worth 37.5% of the total marks

Component 3 – Written exam of 60 minutes, worth 25% of the total marks

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

At Key Stage 3 we run a programme of visits to places of worship to support students in their study of Judaism and Islam. Year 9 and 10 students have the opportunity to participate in our visit to Rome, which covers many links with the GCSE course. In the Sixth Form, a visit to a Polish or German concentration camp may be available as it connects with our A Level study of topics such as evil and suffering and the nature of God.