Religious Education

Head of Department: Mr. M J Dickie (B.D., PGCE)

Staff: Mrs. L McClure (B.Sc., PGCE), Mrs. L Gibson (B.A., Cert. in RE, PGCE)

Religion plays an important role in our society and can influence what people think, feel, and believe. Through studying Religious Studies, students get a broad look at how religion and spirituality form the basis of our culture. The Religious Studies Department strives to make Religious Studies relevant to the society in which we live.

Aims of the Department

• To promote the spiritual aspect of pupils’ holistic development, helping them to consider questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human
• To give pupils the opportunity to explore their own beliefs and values
• To encourage pupils to see the relevance of the Bible in society today
• To help pupils understand, respect and relate to others, particularly those whose denomination, faith and beliefs are different from their own, thus addressing sectarianism, racism and prejudice
• To promote understanding of the importance of moral and spiritual values and encourage the development of self respect and respect for others

GCSE (CCEA)

In the Revised Full GCSE Religious Studies Course students will study 2 units.
They will take two external written exams, one paper for each of their chosen units.
Each exam will last 1 hour 30 minutes.
There is no controlled assessment in the Revised Religious Studies course.
The two units studied will be:
• Christianity through a Study of Matthew’s Gospel
• An Introduction to Christian Ethics

A-Level (CCEA)

We offer Religious Studies at both AS and A2 Levels and follow the CCEA specification.  At both levels we have excellent results.

AS Level (Year 13)
The options chosen are:
• AS4  The Christian Church in the Roman Empire: Beginnings, Expansion and External Pressure
• AS6 Religious Ethics: Foundations, Principles and Practice
Assessment: Each option will be assessed by an exam of 1 hour 20 minutes and includes a question on human experience.

A2 Level (Year 14)
The options chosen are:
• A24  The Development of the Christian Church in the Roman Empire to AD325
• A26  Ethics and Society
In both options pupils will need to see the relevance of synoptic themes selected by CCEA.
Assessment: Each option will be assessed by an exam of 2 hours and includes a question on the selected synoptic theme.

A-Level Educational Trips
• Sixth Form Religious Studies Conference (Union Theological College)
• A2 Synoptic Conference (Belfast Bible College)

Religious Studies also helps students develop marketable skills and aptitudes including:
• analytical and strategic thinking;
• research skills;
• critical judgement;
• the ability to work with abstract, conceptual ideas;
• an ability to 'understand both sides' and negotiate and resolve conflict;
• problem-solving skills;
• leadership skills;
• understanding of the impact of conflicting ideologies; and
• an appreciation of human diversity, belief systems, cultural and spiritual   experiences.

Related Career Choices

• Law
• Medicine
• Teaching
• Archaeology
• Relief Agencies
• Civil Service
• Policing
• Personnel work
• Church and Youth Ministry