Introduction
Having faith does not mean having no difficulties, but having the strength to face them, knowing we are not alone.
As a Catholic school, our aim is that every child achieves their full potential as an individual made in the image and likeness of God. This encompasses every dimension of the pupil: spiritual, moral, social, academic, physical and artistic. Our vision is that young people will learn to be good citizens of the world, enriching society through a positive contribution to their community and beyond. Our curriculum is the vehicle through which we support and nurture our young people to achieve this potential. We believe that knowledge empowers and enables our pupils to feel and be successful, and that this is the entitlement of every child.
In RE students learn about and from religions and worldviews in local, national, and global contexts, to discover, explore and consider different answers to ethical and philosophical questions. They learn to weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources, to develop and express their insight in response, and to agree or disagree respectfully.
Through teaching, students will be equipped with systematic knowledge and an understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, enabling them to develop their ideas, values and identities. It will enable students with an aptitude for dialogue so that they can participate positively in our society with all its diversity.
Staff
Religious Education at Broughton Hall has been recognised for its quality of teaching and learning of RE by the Quality Mark award, when it received Gold. The Religious Studies Department is dedicated to the most basic of subject objectives, and seeks to explore the religious dimension of life and to give pupils a chance to be aware of the nature and effect of religious experience. We are a thriving successful department, and our teaching conforms to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. In the light of our mission statement we endeavour to interpret human knowledge and experience in the light of Gospel values.
The department is a hard working forward thinking team. Our success as a department is rooted in good challenging person centred relationships between staff and students, as well as our determination to continually incorporate and develop new techniques to enhance our work. The department is situated in the C block, and all of this building houses RE. It has well equipped classrooms, and is excellently resourced with textbooks, artefacts, videos and computer software, and has 6 subject-specialist teachers.
Programme of Study KS3
In a forever changing world, with new concepts and ideas, religion and worldviews are central to supporting our way of life and can help us to approach new challenges in our daily lives with an awareness of wisdom and empathy. Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It develops pupils' knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, other religious traditions, and other world views that offer answers to these challenging questions. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development. It enhances pupils' awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures.
As a department we aim to encourage students to develop further on their spiritual journey through faith and allow students to explore other world religions, and reflect on the importance of these views and teachings within their own lives. As a Catholic school we have a duty to both nourish and strengthen our faith together through the gospel values and teach with kindness and compassion, just as Jesus did, so that students understand the importance and true purpose of living as people of God.
In year 7 we focus on an awareness of belonging and what it means to be a member of the Mercy International community and the Catholic faith. We explore areas of the Catholic faith so that students have a greater understanding of their faith and purpose. In year 8 we explore what it means to live within the faith by examining the Old Testament and exploring the journey of Covenants. We also allow students the opportunity to reflect on what faith means to them and how it is relevant in the 21st Century. In year 9 students are given the opportunity to embark on a philosophical and ethical quest to question the faith and apply their knowledge and understanding of faith to real life issues and big questions. Year 9 is the chance to ask and debate the 'big questions' and really develop key skills of analysis and evaluation ready for GCSE.
Programme of Study KS4
Head of Department: Mrs J. Spike
Contact email address: spikej@broughtonhall.com
Specification: EDUQAS
Qualification: GCSE
At key stage 4, in years 10 and 11 all students continue to follow Eduqas Route B (Catholic Christianity and Judaism.) Students are graded 1-9. A final examination consisting of 3 exam papers takes place at the end of year 11.
How is the course structured & assessed?
Foundational Catholic Theology: 37.5% Exam: 1½ hours, 90marks
Applied Catholic Theology: 37.5% Exam: 1½ hours, 90marks
Judaism: 25% Exam: 1 hour, 60marks
FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 1: Origins and Meaning
Introduction - 1 week
Origins and Meaning - 4 weeks
Beliefs on Creation - 2 weeks
FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 1: Origins and Meaning (continued)
The Bible - 1 week
Forms of expression in painting - 1 week
Forms of expression and symbolism - 1 week
Practices: CST, CAFOD, SVP - 2 weeks
FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 2: Good and Evil
Introduction - 1 week
Good, evil and suffering - 3 weeks
Trinity - 1½ weeks
Incarnation - 1½ weeks
FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 2: Good and Evil (continued)
Jesus and Moral Authority - 2 weeks
Sculpture and Statuary - 1½ weeks
Practices: pilgrimage, Lourdes, piety - 2 weeks
JUDAISM
Beliefs and Teachings
The Nature of God - 1½ weeks
Messiah (Mashiach) - 1 week
Covenant - 1½ weeks
Life on Earth - 1 week
The afterlife - 1 week
JUDAISM
Practices
Worship in Britain and elsewhere - 1 week
The Synagogue & Daily Life - 1½ week
Rituals - 2 weeks
Festivals - 2 weeks
APPLIED CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 3: Life and Death
Introduction - 1 week
Death and the Afterlife - 2½ weeks
Eschatology - 1½ weeks
The Magisterium - 2 weeks
APPLIED CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 3: Life and Death
Artefacts - 1½ weeks
Music and the funeral rite - 1 week
Practices: Prayer in Catholic communities - 2 Weeks
APPLIED CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 4: Sin and Forgiveness
Crime and Punishment - 1½ weeks
Forgiveness - 1 week
Practices: - 2
week
Programme of Study KS5
Key Information
Level: A Level
Examination Board: EDUQAS
Subject Leader: Mrs Spike
Entry Requirements
English Grade 6
Religious Studies Grade 6
Why Choose this course?
An A Level in Religious Studies will encourage learners to:
develop their interest in a rigorous study of religion and belief and relate it to the wider world
develop knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of religion
develop an understanding and appreciation of religious thought and its contribution to individuals, communities and societies
adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion
reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in the light of their study
have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to contemporary issues, giving a greater understanding of the world around them
feel inspired and motivated, while challenging and developing their perceptions of different world religions
respond critically and engage with a wealth of philosophical, ethical and religious concepts, equipping them with analytical skills readily transferable to other subjects.
Prospects
It is an A level that opens up many opportunities for a wide range of careers. You may wish to go into a career in law, medicine, or politics for example.
Course Content
Learners must study all three components.
Component 1: A Study of Judaism (option C)
Written examination: 2 hours 33% of qualification
Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification.
Component 2: Philosophy of Religion.
Written examination: 2 hours 33% of qualification.
There will be four themes within this component: arguments for the existence of God; challenges to religious belief; religious experience; religious language. Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification.
Component 3: Religion and Ethics.
Written examination: 2 hours 33% of qualification
There will be four themes within this component: ethical thought; deontological ethics; teleological ethics; determinism and free will. Learners will be expected to answer one question from Section A out of a choice of two and one question from Section B out of a choice of three in this component. Questions can be taken from any area of the specification.
Course Opportunities/ Activities
Opportunity to visit Rome and Pompeii at end of year 12/13 (after examinations).
Support and Challenge
The RE department support students by giving each student at the beginning of the year a folder, exercise book as well as a copy of the course outline and marking scheme. All lesson PowerPoints and additional reading are sent via Teams each half term. Students are available to contact Mrs Spike via Teams for additional support. Revision materials including course booklets are given to all students. Students are given differentiated presentation tasks to challenge them as well as extensive academic reading material.
Student Comment
I chose philosophy because I loved RE gcse, the step between GCSE and A level is that now it is a lot more realistic and interesting
I chose to study Religious Studies because it's a subject that is really enjoyable and makes you eager to learn more. Religious Studies makes you question everything and makes you want to know more.
