Religion, Philosophy & Ethics
An integral and very successful part of the school, enabling students to learn about religion; to learn from religion and to develop, personally, spiritually, morally and socially.
Facilities
The department has a suite of dedicated classrooms and an ICT resources area. One room is furnished especially for Sixth Form teaching, designed with the dynamic and discursive nature of the subject in mind.
Curriculum
Shells: ‘How did the universe begin?’; an introduction to the six world religions; the life and teachings of Jesus, holy writings; lives of faith.
Second Year: Celebrations and Festivals; stories from the Old Testament; the Eucharist; stages in life.
Third Year: the ‘Problem of Evil and Suffering’; the Holocaust, prejudice and genocide; an introduction to moral issues; terrorism; crime and punishment.
Fourth Year general RE: an exploration of personality types, values and morality; an introduction to philosophy; relationships
Fifth Year general RE: an introduction to mindfulness; coping with suffering and loss; spirituality in the arts and media
GCSE: AQA RS syllabus A, units 2 (Christian Ethics) and 12 (Buddhism). Topics covered include euthanasia, genetic engineering, the four noble truths, karma and rebirth.
A level: Edexcel, Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. Topics covered include religious experience, atheism, the problem of evil and utilitarianism.
Ethos
In the department, pupils are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs, values and experiences and then to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues. All views are welcomed and the staff aim to facilitate debate among the students whilst fostering a sense of curiosity about history, culture, ethics and, of course, religious practice.
Destinations
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics naturally play a part in the syllabus of all our pupils. Those who have chosen to study this subject at A level have gone on to study a wide range of degree disciplines (including Philosophy and Medicine) at excellent universities.
Co-Curricular
The department runs a number of clubs: Mindfulness Meditation Club, Christian Union and Amnesty International.
The department consolidates and enhances its classroom teaching with visits to places of worship (including a Buddhist temple, a gurdwara and a mandir) and to various conferences (including philosophy conferences and a conference for Gifted and Talented pupils).