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