Religious Education

"Overall, the quality of provision in religious studies is very good." Ofsted

The Religious Studies Department is concerned with students' acquisition of knowledge about the most influential of religious beliefs and practices and developing their awareness of a religious dimension to life. The Department promotes an enquiring and sympathetic approach to the study of religion and introduces students to the depth and diversity of religion and to the way in which this is reflected in experience, belief and practice. The Department also seeks to make a major contribution to students' social, moral, spiritual and cultural development, which includes their own emerging patterns of belief, attitudes and behaviour.

The course followed for the first 3 years by all students involves study of basic elements of the major world religions including origins, beliefs, worship, rites of passage, pilgrimage, sacred writings, values and attitudes. Students are encouraged to analyse the importance of religion in our society and throughout the world and to investigate its significance on a personal basis. All students commence GCSE courses in Year 10, at the present time in Christianity, Key Beliefs, Ultimate Questions and Life Issues. Students also have the opportunity to study Truth, Spirituality and Contemporary Issues.

In the sixth form students may study Philosophy and Ethics to AS and A2.