RE

The object of Religious Education is not to convert or indoctrinate, but rather to educate pupils to an understanding of religion and its place in people’s lives.

In accordance with the Gloucestershire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education, our aim is “to engage pupils with key questions arising from the study of religion so as to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development”.

Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It develops pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity, other principal religions, other religious traditions, and other world views that offer answers to these challenging questions. It offers opportunities for personal reflection and spiritual development. It enhances awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, and of the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures.

RE encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions, while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning. It challenges pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses.

RE encourages pupils to develop their sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to flourish individually within their communities and as citizens in a diverse society and global community. RE has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning. It enables pupils to develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own. It promotes discernment and enables pupils to combat prejudice.

Pupils in Years 7 to 9 receive one period of Religious Education each week and are taught in mixed ability classes. In Years 10 and 11 pupils can choose to take a full GCSE in Religious Studies. Religious Education also forms part of the RESPECT course in Years 10 and 11.