Religious Education

Aims of the department

To enable students to understand what religion is, and what it means for an adherent to take a religion seriously.
To provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self, and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human.
To develop their knowledge and understanding of principle religions represented in Great Britain and to contribute to the development of their own questioning, beliefs and values, promoting religious literacy for life.
To contribute to achievement of the overall curriculum aims-

Students are successful learners and self managers who enjoy learning, make progress, and achieve.

Students are confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

Students are responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.

How do you bring this subject to life at BGS?

Religious Education contributes to the overall curriculum, by developing skills of writing, discussion, tolerance and debate, by enhancing students understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings and practices, and forms of expression, as well as the influence of religions on individuals, families, communities and cultures, as well as enhancing and reinforcing the understanding of areas of knowledge that are studied in other curriculum areas.
Students study of the Christian tradition, and its impact upon the heritage and present life of Great Britain.
We encourage students to present a balanced and informative account of both Christian and non-Christian religions represented in Great Britain, promoting tolerance, sensitivity and respect in accordance with the Equal Opportunities policy of the school., encouraging students to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions, challenging them to reflect on, consider, analyse , interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, values and ethics and to communicate their responses.
The concept of morality is (“right and wrong”) to assist them in developing a personal ethic of respect and responsibility.
The department promotes access for all, and excellence for many, in KS3 , GCSE and ‘A’ level courses, by using a variety of teaching and learning styles, including use of media clips, whiteboards, art, puppet shows, role play, music and much more….....!
Our intention is to prepare students for adult life, employment, and lifelong learning, as individuals who respect and are sensitive to others, in particular, those whose faiths are different from their own, combating prejudice.

What facilities do you have?

We have two rooms in which the majority of teaching and learning is based
We also make links with faith communities
Organise many visits to places of worship and prisons
We invite people to do presentations and talks to students
We also use ICT facilities and Library facilities at the school

Do staff have specialist areas of interest?

In addition to our expertise in religious education we have other key areas of expertise:

Mrs Doolan B.Ed (hons) (cantab) Theology and Education

RE coordinator
Training also in Christian Ministry
Qualified SEN coordinator

Mrs Taylor BA (hons) Psychology degree

SPACE coordinator
Responsibility for managing “Student Voice”

Mrs Good BA (hons) Business Management

SPACE teacher
ICT teacher
Business Studies teacher
Experience in SEN.

Mr Harper MLitt Philosophy
Particular interest in

Music
Drama
Philosophy

Mr Coull BSc (hons)

Economics
Business Studies Teacher
Experience in
- History
- Geography

Mr Webb BA (hons) History

Politics Law
Theology
Philosophy
Classical Studies

What is the coolest thing about the department?

“The coolest thing about the department is that we get to do things in the lesson other than writing and the lesson plans are great fun. I have enjoyed playing with the play dough to express my feelings. “

(quote from a year 8 boy)

“The way we are treated with so much respect, and the way we learn is just amazing! I love the way we are encouraged to learn, and the way we learn. Its great ☺”

( Quote from a year 9 boy )

“The friendly atmosphere, which encourages fun, effective learning, and always make the students feel welcome and valued. The staff are always there for us. We also learn a lot and it is a happy place to be.”

(Quote from two year 10 boys, currently studying GCSE R.E)

“The varied class activities, which enhances learning and creates avid discussions. The teachers are very approachable, and friendly. Varied belief structures give us a varied insight into all religious denominations.”

(Quote from four year 12 students, currently studying A Level R.S)

“We learn about different cultures and have fun whilst doing it.”

(Quote from a year 7 student)

What do pupils enjoy most about learning in this department?

“I think the way we are taught with so many different ways like playing with “play dough” and team activities are great and I think we all love it”

( Quote from a year 9 student )

We enjoy working in groups so we can exchange ideas to make are work better. So we can also set each other homework tasks. We really enjoyed the China project, that was just fab.”

(Quote from a year 8 boy)

“We don’t just sit and copy off the board we learn in so many different ways. The learning is interactive and we respect one anther in the classroom.”

(Quote from two year 10 boys, currently studying GCSE R.E)

What teaching styles do you use in the department?

As many as possible!
We are totally committed to making the learning experience as fun, interactive and stimulating as possible.
We want your teaching and learning environment to be an exciting experience from the moment that you enter the lesson.
We want student to love coming to our lessons feeling safe, valued and successful.

Year 7:

Jewish origins
Introduction to Islam
- Mosque/Gurdwara visit
Christian origins

Year 8:

An Introduction to Hinduism
Cross Curricular PLUS Project
Christianity today
- Minster visit
Judaism today
- Synagogue visit

Year 9:

Sikhism
Buddhism
- Buddhist Centre visit
Start of AQA GCSE
Suffering and death - Mark (GCSE)
Introduction to Ethics (Poverty)

Year 10/11:

AQA GCSE Religious Studies Specification A

This is good for past papers, and even has the examiners’ mark schemes!

You will take 2 papers of 1 hr 30 mins per paper

Christianity:

Mark’s Gospel Unit 5
Christian Ethics Unit 2

The exam is taken at the end of year 11 (May/June)

Most students take both papers (Full Course) GCSE a small number of students will do Short Course (Unit 2)

AS/A2

Year 12:

AQA GCE Religious Studies Specification

2 written papers 1 hr 15 mins ( 50% of A2 marks) taken in June

Unit B Religion and Ethics 2
Unit E Religion, Art and the Media

Year 13:

AQA GCE Religious Studies Specification

2 written papers 1 hr 30 mins (50% A2 marks)

Unit 3B Philosophy of Religion
Unit 3F religion and Contemporary Society

Extra Curricular Support

RE staff are on hand every lunchtime and are happy to spend time with students who want support after school.
We organise revision sessions prior to exams and this includes a well attended breakfast from 7.30 am for GCSE students or lunch as appropriate.
We organise exciting trips to places of worship, including an annual pilgrimage to the pilgrim village of Walsingham, Norfolk in the summer term.
We have also organised a number of trips to Italy.

Links to other useful websites

www.request.org.uk - A website for teaching about Christianity in Religious Education

www.aqa.org.uk - AQA Examination Board

www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk - The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham