Religious Education

Religious Education in St Michael's school aims primarily at nurturing the faith of our pupils through a constant deepening of our own spirituality and an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic tradition, including various aspects of Catholic belief and practices. It also promotes tolerance and insight into the beliefs of other Christian and non-Christian traditions. Every year, in the summer we hold a “World Religions Day” where outside speakers are invited to lead workshops with our year 7 pupils.

In addition to Religion lessons we provide opportunities for pupils to participate in school Masses, paraliturgies, reconciliation services-where every pupil in the school is given an opportunity to talk one of our local preists and to receive  the Sacrament of reconciliation and  through our retreats programme based at Whitstable in Kent  and  we encourage them to be  generous to many of our adopted  charities, including Afrikids, the Shoe Box Appeal for deprived children, the Pensioner’s Hamper Appeal, CAFOD and the Catholic Children’s Society. This year, during our lenten appeal we raised over £2000 for our dedicated chariities.
 

Key Stage 3 -Programme of Study

Year 7

In Year 7 pupils begin their RE KS3 course by introducing themselves to their new classmates and new teachers. They then move on to learning and understanding the prayer of St Michael and other key Catholic prayers. The first half term then proceeds with developmental education looking at the work of CAFOD and issues of justice and responsibility for Christians. Leading up to Advent and Christmas, pupils study celebration and look at the whole concept of religious celebration.

In January Year 7 pupils study a module on Sex Education-“Education For Personal Relationships”. After the spring half term pupils are helped to understand their way around the bible and the skill of looking up references quickly and accurately. The build up to the Easter is covered by work on “Holy Week”. After Easter pupils look at the Resurrection of Jesus, his Ascension and the first Pentecost. We end year 7 with preparation for the end of year exam and they finish the year by studying a theme on creation and God's environment.

Year 8

In Year 8 pupils begin with a unit of work on community, moving on to the Sacrament of Confirmation before half term. After the autumn half term pupils look at evil, sin and forgiveness.  During Advent there is a particular focus on the role of Our Lady.

In January pupils study the world and work of Jesus, including aspects of Judaism. After the spring half term and in the build up to Holy Week and Easter pupils study a unit of work on opposition to Jesus. After Easter the focus is on the Passover and first Eucharist. We end the year with preparation for the end of year exam and they complete year 8 by studying the importance of Jesus' resurrection and investigate the shroud of Turin .Pupils also chose a modern Christian disciple to study.

Year 9 and 10

Year 9 pupils begin their GCSE Religious Studies course(exam board is AQA) in year 9. This enables them to sit the unit of work on St Mark's gospel at the end of year 9 and then "top this up" to a full course in year 10. The second unit studied at GCSE is unit 2 on ethics and Christianity.

 Year 11

Year 11 pupils who pass their GCSE course in year 10 are given the opportunity to study Philsophy and Ethics and some will follow a general RE course called the "Bosco Award". Pupils who do not pass get the opportunity to resit the cousre.

We promote awareness and understanding of moral and social issues, including HIV/AIDS, drugs, world poverty and sex education, encouraging an enquiring, critical and sympathetic approach to religion.

Pupils are introduced to the varied nature of religion and to the ways in which this is reflected in experience, belief and practice.

Programme of Study

At present all pupils in year 9 and 10  follow the AQA Specification A course leading to GCSE The course is composed of two parts:

1) Unit 2-Ethics and Christainity whcih looks at a wide range of social. moral and religios isses.

2) A detailed study of the Christian Life and the Gospel, looking at the person of Jesus in St Mark's Gospel and the ways in which modern beliefs and practices have been drawn from the Gospel account.

There is no coursework or contolled assignments.

Examination

Candidates will be entered for the examination in a single tier of entry. The final assessment consists of two one and a half hour papers on each of the above units. Pupils in year 9 sit unit 5 and pupils in year 10 sit unit 5. Each exam is worth 50% of the final marks.

Candidates who follow the Ethics and Philsophy course sit four one hour papers in year 11. Each exam is worth is worth 25% of the final marks.

Pupils are encourage to attend the regular after school study clubs, the Saturday school sessions and there are regular revision and coursework sessions during school holidays. GCSE results have been consistently around 55% A-C grade for the past three years.