We aim to help pupils achieve knowledge, understanding and evaluation of religious insights, experiences, beliefs, practices and concepts so that they are able to continue in, or come to, their own beliefs and respect the right of other people to hold beliefs different from their own. We aim to see pupils gain an understanding of and respect forthemselves, the world around them and develop a caring and responsible attitude towards all of life.

During each young person’s study of Religious Studies they will have the opportunity to take part in:

• Field trips - to visit local places of worship
• Surveys – in class and in town
• Debate – in class to develop skill of argument
• Drama - in class to develop understanding and self-confidence
• Projects – investigating the lives of famous Christians
• ICT – for research, data handling and presentations

By studying key Christian teachings about God, the life of Christ and the Bible we aim to assist pupils attain an ability to interpret and relate the Bible to life, recognise and appreciate the purpose and place of worship, prayer and religious language, develop an ability to think and judge about morality and acquire skill in relating Christian moral principles to personal and social life.

The Core Syllabus

The department Programme of Study is based on the Curriculum Order Northern Ireland 1993 and follows the Core Syllabus for Religious Education. There are three Attainment Targets throughout Key Stages 1 to 4 which are cumulative and thematically repetitive building up towards a deeper understanding. They are as follows:

Attainment Target 1: The Revelation of God

Pupils should develop an awareness, knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the key Christian teachings about God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, about Jesus Christ and about the Bible; and an ability to interpret and relate the Bible to life.

Attainment Target 2: The Christian Church

Pupils should develop a knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the growth of Christianity, of its own worship, prayer and religious language; a growing awareness of the meaning of belonging to a Christian tradition, and sensitivity towards the beliefs of others.

Attainment Target 3: Morality

Pupils should develop their ability to think and judge about morality, to relate Christian moral principles to personal and social life, and to identify values and attitudes that influence behaviour.

Key Stage 4 students follow the Northern Ireland CCEA syllabus, some studying the full GCSE and others the Short-course. The full GCSE includes two pieces of coursework and students submit one piece in each year. After studying the life and death, teachings and deeds of Jesus, pupils will investigate and explore a wide variety of subjects from a moral perspective, such as qualities of love and friendship, marriage, parenting and the family, abortion, euthanasia, addiction, racism and the marginalized, care of the environment, crime and punishment.

One section of the Key Stage 4 syllabus involves comparing and contrasting traditions within Christianity. Below are some pictures which form part of our focus during our church trail when we visit some of our local places of Christian worship. Pupils enjoy this field trip as it offers them a better understanding of the diversity of architecture and theology within the Christian tradition.

Our Year 13 and 14 pupils follow the Edexcel syllabus and are given full support in their studies, which is currently taught by Cross and Passion College.