Religion and Philosophy

The core of the Religion and Philosophy Department is twofold – thinking and teamwork. Not only do we encourage the pupils to think through some of the deepest questions, but also to work together as they search for answers. Therefore they are learning both critical thinking and life skills while exploring religious and philosophical issues. All pupils receive one lesson a week throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, culminating in a short course GCSE taken at the end of Year 11. Those that chose to continue at 6th Form take a Philosophy and Ethics course. The Department achieves exceptional exam results are with nearly a 100% A-C GCSE pass rate over the past five years.

Year 7: Pupils explore the Bible and the life of Jesus in more depth than they will have done in Primary School.

Year 8: Pupils learn from Biblical ethics by studying the Ten Commandments. The course then widens out to investigate the world faiths of Sikhism and Buddhism.

Year 9: Pupils continue to explore world religions by looking at Hinduism and Islam; the latter as preparation for the short course GCSE.

Year 10: Pupils start their GCSE course - Religion and Life: Christianity and Islam (Unit 1, Edexcel Specification) in which they look at the philosophical and ethical issues of believing in God, matters of life and death, marriage and family and religion and community cohesion.

Year 11: Continuation of short course RS GCSE.

6th Form: A’Level Philosophy and Ethics units from the Edexcel Religious Studies specification (8RS01/9RS01).