RE
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RE Statement
The fact that all RE teaching is carried out by trained RE specialists is a major contributory factor to the successful delivery of high standards. The subject knowledge and expertise of the staff is the department’s greatest and most precious resource. The department is nationally recognised as being a centre of excellent practice. |
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All pupils are entitled to Religious Education, as part of the National Curriculum.
Religious Education seeks to
Contribute to the development of pupils’ own values and beliefs.
Bring pupils to a knowledge and understanding of religion
Religious education aims to assist pupils to
Reflect upon those aspects of human experience which give rise to fundamental questions about life.
Develop sensitivity to spiritual or religious interpretations of human experience.
Religious Education provides
Exposure to the wide variety and richness of cultures in Britain and the world.
Opportunities to explore moral and ethical issues.
An exposure to the discourse of religion.
Religious Education is important for children developing into citizens of the new millennium because:
They will live in an increasingly small world, and an increasingly multi-cultural society. This is recognised by many employers, who describe such knowledge and empathy inculcated by good RE teaching as an attribute of great importance.
They will be confronted by a dazzling variety of forms of spiritual expression, and need to make informed choices. They need to be able to discuss religious ideas comfortably, thus avoiding unscrupulous and exploitative religious movements.
Religious Education at Kingsbridge Community College is non-confessional. It has no agenda to promote one particular religious tradition; it celebrates and values all traditions, whether ancient or modern, as equally valid and valuable expressions of human spirituality.
Curriculum Overview
Key Stage 3
In Year 7, RE is plays a substantial role in the Opening Minds Curriculum, and is delivered by tutors within those lessons.
In year 8, Students will study modules on Sacred Spaces, The life of Jesus, Sikhism, and Pilgrimage.
IN year 9 Students study Christian Responses to Conflict, an Introduction to Philosophy of Religion, Religious responses to Suffering, the Holocaust, and Life after Death.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage Four all students have the opportunity to gain a qualification in RE – most study for a full GCSE, but others have the opportunity to work towards a Certificate of Education in the subject. The GCSE course is currently Edexcel – Christian responses to Contemporary Issues, and Buddhism, although we will shortly be moving to AQA.
Key Stage 5
At Key Stage 5, the department runs an extremely successful A level course looking at Western Philosophy of Religion and Hinduism. We also run an AS course in Critical Thinking, as well as running a day conference for all year 12 students.
In studying these topics, it is always important to try and encourage students to encounter the tradition in the flesh. The department regularly runs a number of trips (two of which are used as examples of good practice on the DCSF website). We take all of year 8 to Glastonbury as part of their study of Pilgrimage, and have run two sixth form trips to India.