Religious Education
Religious Education Department
Aims
RE is regarded as the core of the core curriculum. The Religious Education and Chaplaincy Department’s Mission is a unique one. Our aim is to facilitate the pupils on a fourfold journey. Hence we combine the academic, the spiritual, the ethical and the philosophical. The process utilises the unique relationship between school, home, parish and the worldwide community of the Church. Through our RE lessons and Home Learning Projects, pupils are inspired by new knowledge, excited by faith and challenged to become critical thinkers. They will develop their skills in being open-minded and developing empathy which is much needed in our very multicultural society. Pupils are challenged to reflect and find their own views in an all-inclusive and supportive environment.
Educational Visits
To support their studies and make much of what is learned come to life, in collaboration with the Chaplaincy, we arrange exciting educational visits for our boys to a number of places of educational interest. This includes Local Synagogues, Hindu Temples, Sikh Gurdwaras, local Churches, London museums, retreat centres, Flame and Aylesford Priory.
Examinations
All pupils study WJEC EDUQAS GCSE from the end of Year 9, through Years 10 and 11. Key stage 3 is spiral scheme which introduces and supports most aspects of the GCSE they will take at the end of KS4 and includes studies of all the 6 major World Religions. Their exams take place when they are in Year 11 and they take three papers, usually in May. The first exam paper is Component 1 Foundational Catholic Theology (Origins and Meaning along with Good and Evil). The second exam paper is Component 2 Applied Catholic Theology (Life and Death along with Sin and Forgiveness). The third exam paper is Component 3 Judaism (Beliefs and Teaching along with Practices).
Literacy in RE
Language – Many of the skills used in RE are similar to those used in English, reading, writing, comprehension, oral expression, etc. Hence RE is aligned with English across academic groups. By reading biblical texts and stories that are often already familiar to them, pupils are often able to engage more readily with literacy tasks. Language that is creatively introduced through RE lessons includes similes, metaphors, hyperbole, synecdoche and onomatopoeia.
Literacy – All are encouraged to read out loud in the class and participate in individual, small and large group work. Use of biblical texts, different views in the textbooks and other sources, engaging classroom debates help to develop literary skills. A broad range of other learned skills of theological analysis and evaluation are used to develop high level literacy in our pupils.
Specialist Vocabulary – In the RE department, we start introducing pupils to specialist vocabulary from Year 7 with vocabulary specific tests, which are then expanded upon as we progress from KS3 into KS4. These regular key concept tests are connected to the current units of learning and form the basis for definitional understanding of religious and theological terms. In essence, this ensures a robust academic foundation for RE right through to ensuring resounding success at GCSE
Key Stage 3
Year 7
Year 7 (RED)
|
YEAR 7 |
||
|
Term |
Module |
Topics Included |
|
Autumn Term 1 |
Creation and Covenant |
Introduction to RE, St Columba and the House Saints. Creation in Genesis 1 and 2, how Catholics understand the Bible, science and faith, human dignity, stewardship of creation and prayer.
|
|
Autumn Term 2 |
Prophecy and Promise |
The structure of the Bible, prophecy in the Old Testament, fulfilment in the New Testament, inspiration of Scripture, the Magisterium, Mass and the Rosary.
|
|
Spring 1 |
Galilee to Jerusalem |
The identity of Jesus as Son of God, Son of Man and Messiah; the Incarnation; the Trinity; and how Catholic worship expresses these beliefs
|
|
Spring 2 |
Desert to Garden |
The Paschal Mystery, Holy Week, the Last Supper, the Eucharist, the Mass, sacraments and different Christian beliefs about the Eucharist.
|
|
Summer 1 |
To the Ends of the Earth |
The Holy Spirit, Pentecost, the birth of the Church and Confirmation
|
|
Summer 2 |
Dialogue and encounter |
Church teaching on interfaith dialogue. The origins of Sikhism, the Ten Gurus, the Khalsa, the Five Ks, Sikh scriptures and worship in the Gurdwara.
|
Year 8
Year 8 (RED)
|
YEAR 8 |
||
|
Term |
Module |
Topics Included |
|
Autumn Term 1 |
Creation and Covenant |
Students explore God's covenant with the Israelites through the story of Moses. They study the Exodus, the Ten Commandments, the importance of the Law, and how covenant shapes Jewish and Christian beliefs today.
|
|
Autumn Term 2 |
Prophecy and Promise |
The role of the prophets in the Old Testament and how Christians believe God's promises were fulfilled through Jesus.
|
|
Spring 1 |
Galilee to Jerusalem |
The ministry of Jesus, including his miracles, teachings and parables, and what these reveal about his identity and mission.
|
|
Spring 2 |
Desert to Garden |
The events of Holy Week and Easter, reflecting on the significance of Jesus' Passion, Death and Resurrection.
|
|
Summer 1 |
To the Ends of the Earth |
Life after death and the events after the resurrection of Jesus. |
|
Summer 2 |
Dialogue and encounter |
Students learn about the growth of the early Church, the work of the Holy Spirit, key Muslim beliefs and practices, and the importance of respectful dialogue between different faiths.
|
Year 9
Year 9 (RED)
|
YEAR 9 |
||
|
Term |
Module |
Topics Included |
|
Autumn Term 1 |
Creation and Covenant |
Students explore what it means to be created in the image of God and the responsibilities that come with human freedom. They examine moral decision-making, human dignity and caring for others and the world around us.
|
|
Autumn Term 2 |
Prophecy and Promise |
An examination of the lives of Hannah and Mary, exploring God's promises, the role of women in salvation history, Marian doctrines and the significance of Mary in Catholic belief.
|
|
Spring 1 |
Galilee to Jerusalem |
Discipleship in Mark's Gospel, the costs and rewards of following Jesus, the role of women disciples, vocation, religious life and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
|
|
Spring 2 |
Desert to Garden |
An exploration of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Day of Atonement, the meaning of redemption, the New Covenant and how Jesus is understood as both High Priest and Temple.
|
|
Summer 1 |
To the Ends of the Earth |
Students deepen their understanding of the Church, the Communion of Saints, the role of the Pope, the Church on earth, in heaven and being purified, and Catholic devotion to saints and angels
|
|
Summer 2 |
Dialogue and encounter |
Students explore Catholic Social Teaching, the common good and the work of organisations such as CAFOD. Also, students will encounter the beliefs and teaching of the Jewish faith.
|
Year 9 (GCSE)
|
Summer I |
Judaism Beliefs and Teachings |
The Nature of God, Shekhinah, Different views on the Nature of the Messiah, Importance of the Covenant with Abraham, Importance of the Covenant with Moses |
|
Summer I |
The Ten Commandments, Life on Earth, Beliefs about the Nature and Importance of Pikuach Nefesh, Free Will and the 613 Mitzvot, Beliefs about the Afterlife |
|
|
Summer II |
Judaism Practices |
Worship in the Synagogue, Worship in the Home, Features of a Synagogue, Functions of a Synagogue, Items Worn for Worship, Shabbat, Brit Milah, Bar Mitzvah |
|
Summer II |
Jewish Marriage, Mourning Rituals, Daily Life, Tenakh and Talmud, Kosher and Dietary Laws, Jewish Festivals in Britain, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Sukkot |
Key Stage 4
Year 10
| Year 10 | |
| Autumn Term 1 | GCSE RE Origins and Meaning |
| Autumn Term 2 | GCSE RE Origins and Meaning |
| Spring Term 1 | GCSE RE Good and Evil |
| Spring Term 2 | GCSE RE Good and Evil |
| Summer Term 1 | GCSE RE Judaism |
| Summer Term 2 | GCSE RE Revision and Y10 Mock Exams |
Year 11
| Year 11 | |
| Autumn Term 1 | GCSE RE Life and Death |
| Autumn Term 2 | GCSE RE Sin and Forgiveness |
| Spring Term 1 | GCSE RE Sin and Forgiveness |
| Spring Term 2 | GCSE RE Revision |
| Summer Term 1 | GCSE RE Revision and GCSE Exams |
| Summer Term 2 | |