Religious Education

Head of Humanities and Subject lead for Religious Education: Mr M Scott

Religious Education is at the core of the Bishop Stopford curriculum.  As a Church of England school with a strong Christian ethos importance of an education about faith, belief and respect for our fellow man is very important.The department is staffed by 4 specialist Religious Education teachers who between them have many years of experience.There are two distinct elements to RE- learning about religion and learning from religion. From a Christian viewpoint this would entail:Learning about religion

We learn about:

  • The God who reveals himself ultimately in Jesus his Son, living among us and dying and rising for us;
  • The God who reveals himself in his Spirit working in the living faith of the Church experienced through scripture, tradition and reason.

Learning from religion

We learn from:

  • Responding personally to the transforming power of Jesus Christ;
  • and others, celebrating our shared humanity and the breadth of human achievement;
  • Examples of Christian living which give priority to the claims of justice, mercy, holiness and love.
  • The Religious Studies Department encourages life outside the classroom, not only putting beliefs into practice, but developing spirituality and opportunities to explore other faith traditions

  Key Stage 3
At Key Stage Three the pupils receive grounding in the ideas of what it means to study Religion. The pupils are allocated 3 Religious Education lessons every two weeks. The topics of Study are as followsYear 7

  • What is Religion?
  • Why and how are people Religious?
  • Jesus’ Suffering
  • Islam, a living Faith
  • Pilgrimage

Year 8

  • The Problems of Evil and Suffering
  • The Incarnation of Jesus
  • Introduction to Hinduism
  • Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

Year 9

  • Introduction to Buddhism
  • Beliefs and traditions of Islam
  • Peace and conflict
  • Beliefs and traditions of Christianity

Key Stage 4

At Key Stage Four the pupils study Religious Education GCSE. The pupils are allocated 4 Religious Education lessons every two weeks. The AQA Religious Studies B syllabus is used with the units ‘Religion and Life Issues’ and ‘Religion and Morality’ being taught.

Click to be taken to an overview of the GCSE course

Textbook: Religion and Morality by Parry, Hayes and Hands. Hodder Education 978-0-340-98366-9Revision Guide – Unit 3 ‘Religion and Morality’ by Butler. Philip Allan 978-1-444-10080-8

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage Five the option of Philosophy and Ethics has become a successful path for many students. Units from the AQA Religious Studies A level are taught on Philosophy and Ethics. Pupils receive 9 one hour lessons over a two week cycle.Year 12: ASReligion and Ethics

  • Utilitarianism
  • Situation Ethics
  • The Nature and Value of Human Life
  • Abortion and Euthanasia

Textbook: AQA Religious Studies: Ethics by Bowie with Frye. Nelson Thornes 978-0-7487-9819-3

Religion, Philosophy and Science

  • Miracles
  • Creation
  • The Design Argument

Year 13: A2Religion and Ethics

  • Virtual Ethics
  • Medical and Scientific Technology
  • Sexual Ethics

Textbook: AQA Religious Studies: Ethics by Bowie with Frye. Nelson Thornes 978-0-7487-9819-3Life, Death and Beyond

  • The Nature and Value of Human Life
  • Apocalyptic and Eschatological Studies
  • The Present Life and Life After Death
  • Religious views on Death and Beyond