RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Welcome to the Religious Education Department. Religious Education is the "core of the core curriculum" in a Catholic school (Pope St John Paul II).
Bishop Vaughan Catholic School places RE at the core of the curriculum, which helps the school promote a holistic education to fulfil its mission statement which reflects the teaching of Jesus in John 10:10 ‘I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full.’
Religious Education at Bishop Vaughan School is given 10% of teaching time, throughout Key stages, 3, 4 and 5, in line with the Bishop’s memorandum. 5% of teaching time is allocated to General RE.
All pupils at KS4 are afforded the opportunity to gain an external qualification in Catholic theology and Religious Studies. A very small number follow a Pathways qualification.
The programme of study at Key Stage 3 is grounded in the Bishops of England and Wales, Religious Education Curriculum Directory (2012) and follows a programme of study based on ‘The People of God’, which has been adapted to suit the needs of our learners.
"Religious Education is concerned not only with intellectual knowledge but also includes emotional and affective learning. It is in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of what it is to be human truly becomes clear. Without religious education, pupils would be deprived of an essential element of their formation and personal development, which helps them attain a vital harmony between faith and culture." (Religious Education curriculum Directory p4).
KEY STAGE 3 SUMMARY
Year 7 explore topics and themes from the People of God programme for RE. This has included an initial induction into the life of a Catholic school; the Church community; the Bible, the Nature of God; the Trinity, the Person of Jesus; Baptism; the Mass and what it means to be created in the 'image and likeness' of God.
Year 8 explore topics and themes from the People of God programme for RE. This has included a study of Covenant History (including Old and New Testament); aspects of Jewish belief and practice; Living as Covenant people and meeting the challenges of responding to God.
Year 9 explore topics and themes from the People of God programme for RE. This has included a study of God as the Creator; the importance of Forgiveness; the challenges of Evil and Suffering; the Compatibility of Religion and Science and issues of life and death. (Unit 1 in the GCSE specification).
KEY STAGE 4 SUMMARY
At Key stage 4 all pupils study for an external qualification in Religious Studies. The title of the GCSE qualification is 'Catholic Theology and Judaism'. The full course is taught over two years. Most pupils will sit the first examination in Year 10 and then the second examination in Year 11. A very small number of pupils are offered the Pathways qualification.
POST-16 SUMMARY
At Key Stage 5 all pupils follow a General RE course which focuses on Spiritual reflection and Virtues Education, based on the tradition of St. Ignatius. In addition to this pupils are offered the choice to study for an AS and A2 qualification. The options here include a study of Christianity, Philosophy and Ethics.
