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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). 

Tolerance and harmony are integral to the community.

Independent Schools Inspectorate