“It was their wonder, astonishment that first led men to philosophise and still leads them.”
Aristotle (384-322BC) Greek philosopher. Taken from his work Metaphysics
The aims of the Religious Studies Department are to help pupils:
- grow in their spiritual development through reflection on their feelings and relationships;
- explore some important questions of meaning and consider how some of the world’s religions have responded to them;
- think about their beliefs and values in the light of the beliefs and values of others, including religious traditions and the values of the school community;
- develop skills and attitudes which will support them in their personal, moral and social development;
- develop knowledge and understanding of Christianity and its impact on our local community and its impact on society today;
- develop their own knowledge and their understanding of the other main faiths represented in Britain today.
The Religious Studies Curriculum from Years 9 - 11
Studying Religious Studies iGCSE will promote an enquiring, critical and sympathetic approach to the study of religion. We will learn how individuals and groups of people approach their own faith and how this is expressed in the contemporary world in which we find ourselves today. The pupils will be introduced to varied and challenging ways in which the differing faiths are reflected in experience, belief, and practice.
During the course, the pupils will identify and explore questions regarding the meaning of life and investigate how these questions relate to the religious traditions that are studied. The moral issues that exist within the wider world will give the pupils an opportunity to reflect and respond from a religious perspective. Finally, pupils will recognise and understand how the patterns of belief and behaviour have been formed over time and the contribution that religion has played in this.
Cambridge iGCSE allows for the study of two world religions. They will take two papers and will study worship, belief systems and their sacred writings, festivals, fasting, pilgrimage/historic places, the family, rites of passage and social action. The study of religion will enable the pupils to develop an informed curiosity of the world in which they live.
At present Common Entrance provides a rigorous stepping stone which leads well into the iGCSE syllabus. The skills gained will benefit them in iGCSE, A Level and IB and beyond. The skills will enable the pupils to become confident learners who are responsible, reflective, innovative and engaged with society today and are able to work and think independently.
It is important to understand that studying religious beliefs does not make a young person ‘religious’ but engaging and understanding religion will allow them to respond more effectively to modern issues and conflict that is with society
Trips
There are many trips that take place within the school year and it is our intention that pupils following the iGCSE programme will benefit from school visits. It is enormously beneficial to visit places of worship in a variety of faiths.