Religious Education

Religious Education gives our students an understanding of Christianity and the other main religions of the world, their ethics and values.  If students understand their neighbour's religion and the way they think, that will influence their decision-making.

Students have one class a week, complemented by the Spirituality programme run by the School Chaplain, Mrs Rosemary Poland.

As an Anglican school, it is vital to us that we maintain an understanding of the underlying ethos of the Anglican faith whilst at the same time developing a greater appreciation and understanding of our fellow Christians and believers in the other Great World faiths.  In all our teaching and engaging we encourage the Five Strand approach:  an appreciation of the Bible and Christian tradition, Ethics, Philosophy of religion and thinking skills, and Stillness and Silence.

Years 7-8

Students build up the global view and understanding of the various faiths.

Year 9

Students look at the times in our lives when faith and religion show us the milestones on our personal journeys through life.

Year 10

Students study a course on Spirituality.

Year 11

Students follow a course based on Ethics and Religion, as well as Philosophy of Religion which includes discussions on the proof of God's existence and the problem of evil in the world.

Years 12 and 13

Students are introduced to studies such as Christology, Fundamentalism, Relics (the Turin Shroud), new religious movements, and Liberation Theological approaches such as feminist thinking and attitudes to the poor.

The Cambridge Pre-U Certificate in Philosophy and Theology

Established in 2010:
The Cambridge pre-U Certificate in Philosophy and Theology is an introductory course which looks at the fundamental questions of truth and understanding.  This two-year programme is available to students from Year 12 and is conducted outside regular class hours for two hours per week.  It is offered as a rich extension course, promoting wide reading and independent inquiry.  Topics for study include the nature of belief, conscience, free will and determinism, religion and science, ethics and studies of the Old and New Testaments.  Readings are diverse, covering material from JS Mill to Descartes to the Old Testament.  At the end of two years, students may take the Cambridge examination, from which a single grade and stand-alone certificate is awarded.