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Religious Education

Mission Statements: To love God and His children. To achieve academic success in the disciplines of theology, philosophy and ethics.

Curriculum Map

Curriculum Intent: To deliver a broad and balanced curriculum, in line with diocesan directives, that encourages students to explore and reflect upon their faith and the beliefs of others. To help students to grow in spirituality and to recognise the role of Christianity in their personal lives, communities and the worldwide communion.

Core Religious Education:

All Sixth Form students at St Mary’s Catholic School study a non-exam Core Religious Education Course. This is in line with the requirements of the Education Act (1944) and the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, which require that students study Religious Education for 5% of their curriculum time. This is one hour a week, and does not involve any homework, coursework or end of year exams.  Students will study modules on Catholic Social Teaching and Ethics, Science and Religion and Human Trafficking, for example.

Students have a written assessment in class at the end of each unit.

A Level Religious Studies

Students in Year 12 will follow a course which is provided by the Edexcel exam board. The three main areas of study are:

  • Christianity: This includes religious figures and sacred texts, religious concepts and religious life, significant social and historical developments in religious thought, and religious practices and religious identity.
  • Philosophy of Religion: This includes arguments for the existence of God, challenges to religious belief, religious experience, and religious language.
  • Religion and Ethics: This includes ethical thought, deontological ethics, teleological ethics, and applied ethics.

Assessment takes the form of essays which are set for homework and in class.

There are examinations at the end of Year 12 and 13 (three two hour papers).

For more information on the course, please click here.

RE helps me to learn more about what it is to be a Catholic. It guides me to love God and shows me how to ‘love my neighbour’.