Religious Studies
In the Religious Studies Department, we provide all our students with an enthusiastic, inclusive, rigorous and broad curriculum which is accessible for all. Through our studies, we challenge academic ability, empower independence and creativity and promote spiritual, physical, emotional health and well-being. Our lives are continually inspired by the life of Jesus Christ and we wish to share his life and mission with our students so they can become adults whose lives are devoted to service and vocation, meeting the needs of the twenty-first century.
Throughout their time at St Augustine’s, students study a variety of aspects about Christianity and other world religions, as well as non-religious views to prepare them for the diverse world. Students have 5 lessons a fortnight in Key Stage 3-4 and one lesson a week at Key Stage 5, with A Level students also studying 9 lessons a fortnight.
In Key Stage 3, using the program of study from the Catholic Curriculum Directory and People of God program, students study key themes that ask pivotal questions of meaning: Who is God? How do we live as the people of God? What inspires and challenges the people of God? These themes are built upon each year, with aspects such as belonging, identity, forgiveness and reconciliation, faith and science, the problem of evil, and fairness and justice. We include projects in amidst our studies, enabling teamwork and creativity to shine through.
As all students progress to GCSE, we develop these skills through the units of study, for instance in our study of Origins and Meaning: We examine how did life begin and how does this affect a Catholic’s understanding of life? What about other Christians, people of the Jewish faith? How would an atheist or a Humanist also see this same question of meaning? The course we study is Eduqas Specification B: Catholic Christianity with Judaism, and it is entirely exam assessed. Studying with us St Augustine’s will enable you to consider the opinions of others, both religious and non-religious, and to take these views into account in your understanding of the world and its people.
In Key Stage 5, every student continues their religious education through General RE, where we cover a range of modules in Year 12 and Year 13, including World Religions, Human Dignity & Trafficking, RSE, Faith and Science, and time for personal reflection with our Chaplain. We have many students studying A Level, where they continue with Eduqas, studying Religion, Philosophy & Ethics (RPE). This is a thought-provoking course covering many aspects of modern theology, and an excellent preparation for many careers including law, social sciences, advertising, public relations, ministry, teaching, medicine, and community and charity work, to name but a few. Students will develop sound independent study skills, an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints and the ability to come to clear, balanced decisions – all qualities valued by employers.
- Mrs L Marr, Head of Religious Studies
Key Stage 3
Year 7
Term 1: Who is God? How can we know what is true?
Term 2: Who is Jesus? We study the historical facts of Jesus and what Jesus means for Christians today
Term 3: What is the Kingdom of God?
Term 4: What are the signs of Catholic identity?
Term 5: What are the signs of identity for Muslim people?
Term 6: Who am I? This forms our Relationships and Sex Education module
Knowledge and Skills: Who is God?
Knowledge and Skills: Kingdom of God
Knowledge and Skills: Catholic identity
Year 8
Terms 1 & 2: What are the Covenants of the Old Testament? Salvation History: How do these Covenants lead to Jesus?
Term 3: What is the history of the early Church and how is this an inspiration for Christians today?
Term 4: How do we live out Reconciliation?
Term 5: What do Hindus believe about God? A study of Hinduism. This is followed by Relationships and Sex Education.
Term 6: How does a Catholic put their faith into action: living fairly and justly today
Knowledge and Skills: Salvation History
Knowledge and Skills: Early Church History
Knowledge and Skills: How do we live out Reconciliation?
Knowledge and Skills: Hinduism
Year 9
Term 1: Do faith and science conflict?
Term 2: How do we know what is true?
Term 3: What Should I do with my Life? What are we called to be? Vocation
Terms 4 & 5: Relationships and Sex Education
Term 6: A study of Judaism. This begins our study of the Eduqas GCSE, specification B.
Knowledge and Skills: Faith & Science
Knowledge and Skills: Vocation
GCSE
EDUQAS Route B GCSE
Religious Education forms an important part of the core curriculum at Key Stage 4. All students participate in this course leading to GCSE certification.
Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies. They will be expected to support their responses using appropriate knowledge and understanding of key sources of wisdom and sacred texts. These texts might include, for example: the Bible; extracts from the documents of Vatican II or other ecumenical councils, extracts from Papal encyclicals and exhortations, extracts from the work of key theologians and thinkers such as St Augustine of Hippo as well as the views of past and current philosophers (including ethical philosophers).
Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of different perspectives. These may derive from either different religions or different views/denominations within a particular religion.
Paper 1: Foundational Catholic Theology
Theme 1 – Origins and Meaning
Considering religious and non-religious beliefs about the origins and value of the universe and human life; making relevant references to scripture, other sources of authority and contrasting scientific and/or nonreligious world-views such as those held by Atheists and Humanists.
Theme 2 – Good and Evil
This theme requires students to consider philosophical questions concerning the origins and nature of good and evil and different religious answers to the problem of evil and suffering. Students are expected to make relevant references to scripture and other sources of authority.
Paper 2: Applied Catholic Theology
Theme 3 – Life and Death
This theme requires students to consider religious beliefs about the nature of life and death. Students are expected to make relevant references to scripture and other sources of authority.
Theme 4 – Sin and Forgiveness
This theme requires students to consider philosophical questions concerning the nature of criminality and the rationale for punishment and forgiveness. Through a study of teachings and beliefs, questions relating to the justifiability of capital punishment will be explored. Students are expected to make relevant references to scripture and other sources of authority.
Paper 3: Judaism
Theme 1 – Beliefs and Teachings
Theme 2 – Practices
Students will know, understand and express common and divergent views and the basis for beliefs, teachings and practices. References to relevant sources of wisdom and authority will be taught, including scripture and/or sacred texts.
WJEC Eduqas GCSE in Religious Studies specification (PDF)
A Level
All Sixth Form students participate in one General Religious Studies lesson per week.
We also offer A Level in Religion, Philosophy & Ethics
Close
Social Media