Religious Education
Why is RE important?
The RE department is dedicated to the education of the whole child and to help them to grow in their faith. We ensure that every pupil at St Thomas More School will be supported in all aspects of their development; the spiritual, cultural, emotional and social development of the pupils lies at the heart of the department’s ethos.
Teachers
Miss I Dasso
Miss C Fleischer
Mr S Hadjisavva
Mrs E Henry- Head of Department
Ms A McFadden
Mr S Ruggiero
Ms M Wameyo
Curriculum Map
KS3
Key Skills Required
Skills needed at KS3 Religious Education are the ability to read and analyse texts, to describe and explain different points of view.
Topics Covered
Number of lessons per week: 3
The Department follows the Diocesan of Westminster Key Stage 3 Curriculum Directory. All pupils follow The Way and The Truth syllabus which provides a good grounding in the key beliefs and practices of the Church. They also study other faiths, notably Judaism, with whom we share a common spiritual ancestry.
The main topics are:
- Belonging to a Catholic School
- Judaism and Tolerance
- Sacraments,
- Sacraments of Healing
- Leadership in the Church
- Saints
- The Church’s Mission
- Judaism after (The Paschal Mystery)
- Revision Support
- The Life (Catholic Truth Society) P.J. McHugh
- Revision Handbook
Homework
Homework is set according to the homework timetable and can be found on ‘Show My Homework’.
Assessment Details
Pupils are assessed regularly. Diagnostic monitoring will take place twice per half term.
Revision Support
- The Way (Catholic Truth Society) – P.J. McHugh
- The Truth (Catholic Truth Society) – Ged Clapson
- Key Christian Beliefs-Chris Wright
- http://www.reonline.org.uk/ks3/indexx.php
Key Tips for Success
Pupils should spend at least 40 minutes on their homework.
Pupils should always ask for help in areas that they are unsure of; they must ask for help with their homework in advance of the deadline.
Make sure that all work is presented neatly and always written in full and detailed sentences.
How can a parent help their child succeed in this course?
Supervise your child’s homework.
Be willing to answer questions to help your child.
KS4
Course Outline
At GCSE, pupils follow the Edexcel course. In Years 9 and 10, pupils will study the following:
Area of Study 1: Study of Catholic Christianity
Section 1: Beliefs and Teachings
Section 2: Practices
Section 3: Sources of Wisdom and Authority
Section 4: Forms of Expression and ways of life
Area of Study 2: Study of second religion: Judaism
Section 1a: Beliefs and Teachings
Section 2a: Practices
Section 1b: Beliefs and Teachings
Section 2b: Practices
Area of Study 3: Philosophy and ethics based on Catholic Christianity
Section 1: Arguments for the existence of God
Section 2: Religious teachings on relationships and families in the Twenty-First Century
In Year 11, pupils will study eight units and three topics for each exam paper.
All pupils are externally examined in the summer term of Years 10 and 11.
KS5
Core Religious Education
All Key Stage 5 students follow a General RE programme which is rich in the Church’s Catholic Social teaching. The course consists of lessons and project days which are planned and delivered by staff and students. Topics that are covered include The Poor and Vulnerable, Dignity of Work and Stewardship, Abortion and Ethical Issues.
Attendance of General Religious Education is compulsory for all students in the Sixth Form and will be monitored in the same ways as other lessons.
Philosophy & Ethics
Course outline
OCR AS Religious Studies – Philosophy of Religion (Ancient Greek influences, Religious Experience, the existence of God, Problem of Evil, Mind, Body, Soul) and Ethics (Ethical theories and applied ethics), and Developments in Christian Thought (Augustine on Human Nature, Afterlife, Jesus Christ, Knowledge of God, Moral Principles, Bonhoeffer).
OCR A Level Religious Studies – Philosophy of Religion (Attributes of God, religious language) and Ethics (Metaethics, Conscience, and Sexual Ethics) and Developments in Christian Thought (Pluralism, Gender, Secularism, Liberation Theology).
Teachers
Mr S Ruggiero
Ms C Fleischer
What type of student succeeds at Philosophy and Ethics A Level?
Philosophy and Ethics is an academic discipline that encourages a rigorous study of religion and ethics and then applies it to the wider world. Students will need to adopt an enquiring and critical approach to the study of religion. They will also be encouraged to reflect on and develop their own values in the light of the study they have done therefore they need to be independent learners and avid readers.
Subject requirements at GCSE
Students will need to have passed Religious Education at least to a Grade 5 before they can embark on studying Ethics and Philosophy. Minimum of five GCSEs, grades A*- C including a Grade 5 or above in English GCSE.
Complementary subjects
Philosophy and Ethics is typically understood to include a fairly wide variety of topics ranging from philosophical thought from its beginnings in Ancient Greece to present day looking at current affairs, ideas and practices. Thus, there is a wide variety of subjects that compliments an A Level in Philosophy and Ethics some of which are Sociology, Business Studies, Economics, Modern Languages, Psychology and History.
Homework
Students receive homework after every lesson. It varies essay questions based on case studies, podcasts, and newspaper articles to researching current affairs topics that relate to the course content. Students are armed with a pack from the outset that contains revision guides, past papers and mark schemes in order to aid their independent study.
Future Directions
Which university courses require Philosophy and Ethics A Level?
Philosophy and Ethics is an inter-disciplinary subject so there are no strict subject requirements. At least one essay based subject is required.
Which university courses look favourably on Philosophy and Ethics A Level?
Philosophy and Ethics is highly regarded by universities and employers as it proves that you are able to think, discuss and evaluate. It is excellent preparation and is looked favourably on for a degree in the Humanities.
What are the entry requirements to study Philosophy and Ethics at university?
Philosophy and Ethics entry requirements are high. Anywhere between CBB and A*AA.
Which careers could Philosophy and Ethics A Level lead to?
Philosophy and Ethics prepares students for the following careers; Law and Medical Service, Journalism and Publishing, Education, the Media to Politics.