RE

Head of Department: Mrs Schluter

Please click here to view the SJP RE Policy.

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Central to the Religious Studies programme throughout Year 7 is an exploration of Christian and in particular Roman Catholic beliefs, experiences and practices. The programme looks at questions about fundamental aspects of Christian life, which are addressed and explored in the light of Christian faith and the Church: the way the faith is celebrated, lived and prayed through the sacraments and the liturgical year. Students study ideas about initiation and belonging to the Church community. The focus is on Baptism, Christian discipleship, the Mass, and important feasts in the liturgical year. Students also study some aspects of Hinduism.

Year 8

Central to the religious studies programme throughout Year 8 is an exploration of Christian and in particular Roman Catholic beliefs, experiences and practices. The programme looks at questions about the fundamental aspects of Christian life, which are addressed and explored in the light of Christian faith and the church: the ways faith is celebrated, lived and prayed through the sacraments and the liturgical year. Students study aspects of Church history, the church as the people of God, the sacrament of Reconciliation, aspects of prayer, Judaism at the time of Jesus and the significance of the Passover for both Jews and Christians.

Year 9

Central to the religious studies programme throughout Year 9 is an exploration of Christianity and in particular Roman Catholic beliefs, experiences and practices. Students study the importance of Pilgrimage, Christian Leadership inspired by Jesus’ example in the New Testament, and the meaning and purpose of the Ten Commandments in contemporary society. Other components include aspects of Church history; the Great Schism and Reformation and the affects this has had upon the Christian family, as well as the Ecumenical movement of the 20th & 21st Century. Students will also study aspects of Islam. In the summer term Year 9 students begin GCSE work from the Catholic Christianity paper.

Key Stage 4

All students during Year 10 & 11 follow the Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies Catholic Christianity course. The course is linear; all examinations are taken at the end of Year 11. Students learn about the history, foundation and expression of the Catholic faith today. They also study the beliefs, practices and expressions of Judaism, satisfying the requirement that they be familiar with another world faith.

The course also includes debate of important ethical issues whilst thinking about Catholic and Christian points of view, including scientific perspectives.

Students will study three different topics:

Topic 1: Catholic Christianity: The study of Catholic beliefs, teachings and practices: Written exam; 1hour 45mins.
Topic 2: A systematic study of Judaism; Beliefs, practices and teachings; Written exam; 1hour
Topic 3: Christian Ethical study: different topical issues looking at Catholic views; Written exam; 1hour
Arguments for the existence of God – Revelation, religious experience, solutions to the problem of suffering.
Religious Teachings on Relationships and Families in the 21st century – What does marriage mean to Catholics, the importance of family life, the role of men and women.