Religious Education

Religious Education

Welcome to the Religious Education page of Highfield Humanities College

Religious Education is part of the Humanities Faculty, collectively, the biggest department in the school which support the specialism of the school. It is a very successful area, which also includes, History, Geography, Travel and Tourism and Health and Social Care.

The teaching of Religious Education is subject to the statutory regulations of the 1944 and 1988 parliamentary acts, which insist that all pupils should receive religious education except where withdrawn by parental consent. Religious Education is a core subject that forms an essential part of the curriculum.

What is Religious Education really about?

Religious Education often suffer from the misconception that it is a subject that seeks to impart religious knowledge in the hope of conversion. This is an age old misconception and misunderstanding of the true worth and purpose of this subject. We encourage students to develop their own opinions on ethical and religious issues and to be able to give a reason for their opinion and understand why others think differently.

Religious Education is a subject that enables pupils to develop the ability to make sense of their own world through the understanding of religious practice and faith. Given proper time, resources and taught effectively, Religious Education is the heart of the educational process and it is an invaluable tool that enables the growth, development and maturing of a child’s own spirituality.

Why study RE?

A question often asked by pupils.  There are many reasons for studying RE.  Firstly it is the law; however there are many other reasons.  It is considered an academic subject that develops skills of discussion, debate and self-expression in addition to learning about religious beliefs and practices.  These skills are required in many professions such as the law, caring professions such as social work, nursing, teaching, counselling, Police and the media.  In addition to this RE helps pupils to understand other subjects many of which have a religious dimensions especially History, English, Science, Geography to name a few.  RE also helps pupils understand the impact of individuals and their beliefs on society.

Why is Religious Education Important?

It makes a significant contribution to the spiritual and moral development of the pupil.

By its very nature Religious Education deals with moral issues and therefore helps impart the skills and attitudes necessary to make mature judgements.

Pupils are equipped to understand and appreciate the cultural heritage of where they live.

Pupils are given access to information and beliefs surrounding fundamental questions and ensuring challenging thinking.

By the gaining of religious understanding of numerous world faiths pupils are better placed to show acceptance and tolerance of others.

It teaches the value of difference.

Provides pupils with positive attitudes about the self.

Pupils develop a variety of skills they will use throughout their everyday life.

Staffing

Mrs G. A. Binns – Head of Department. Mrs Binns also is Senior Assistant Headteacher and teaches across the key stages.

Mr C. Karoonian – Teacher of Health and Social care. Teaching KS3 and KS4 Religious Education.

Miss R.L. Binns – Teacher of RE across all key stages.

Mrs S. McMahon – Teacher Religious Education.

Mrs A. Evans - Teacher of Religious Education

Curriculum Overview KS3

RE is now part of the successfully integrated Humanities curriculum followed by Year 7 and Year 8 pupils.  The focus of the Year 7 curriculum is Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills and the focus of the Year 8 curriculum is the development of subject specific skills in preparation for the study of individual subjects in Year 9.

Curriculum Overview KS4

KS4 begins in Yr 9 with pupils studying WJEC GCSE course in Religious Studies. Every pupil will take the compulsory one hours lesson a week. Pupils will study topics like relationship, identity and belonging, Our World and Fairness. This is not only a provision that fulfils the legal requirement it gives pupils the opportunity to explore different cultures and beliefs systems.

Higher ability pupils are entered for their GCSE Short Course in Year 9 – complete the full course in Year 10.

All pupils complete their Short Course in Year 10 – complete the full course in Year 11.

A Level:  Pupils in Yr 9 are able to opt to follow this course which is about Philosophy, Religion and Science and Religion Art and the Media.

Useful Websites/Links

www.bbc.co.uk/religion
www.humanism.org.uk
www.iskcon.org.uk/
http://www.reonline.org.uk/
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/index.htm