Religious Education
RE is a core subject here at St Dominic’s, in which pupils learn both about religious belief and practice and from the examples, individuals, concepts and issues studied.
The school’s Catholic ethos extends across all areas of the curriculum but in the RE Department it is nurtured and developed through study, liturgy, residential retreats and practical faith in our support of local and national charities.
An understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus and the Church forms the foundation from which we can consider the role of belief and practice in the world around us. In addition, in order to foster an understanding and appreciation of the multi-ethnic society in which we live, our curriculum includes a study of other world faiths.
KS3 Course Outline
Year 7: Content in brief
Introduction:
What it means to be part of the Dominican Community.
Finding our way around the Bible
Who is God?
How can we know God? God’s self- revelation; Jesus – the Incarnation; The Holy Trinity; "Who is God to me?’’
Who is Jesus?
The historical Jesus; the expectation of a Messiah; how Jesus was viewed by his disciples; titles for Jesus; the mystery of the Incarnation and what we can learn about Jesus during Advent; how do Christians answer the question ‘who is Jesus?’ "Who is Jesus to me?’’
The Kingdom of God
What do we mean by the Kingdom of God? Miracles as signs of the Kingdom; Parables and what they teach about the kingdom; The Beatitudes and how they challenge us.
Sacraments
Sacramental language; Sacraments of the Church; Baptism; Baptism in other Christian traditions and the debate about when to be baptised; signs and symbols of the Mass.
Living as People of God
What is meant by ‘Church’; the Holy Spirit and Pentecost; the challenges faced by the Early Church; the life of St Peter and St Paul; Persecuted Christians today.
An introduction to World Faiths
In this unit, pupils explore the belief and practice of their neighbours in multi-faith Britain.
Pupils in Year 7 will experience a day retreat at Alton Castle in the Autumn Term.
Year 8:
Creation
Understanding the Creation narrative in Genesis; a basic consideration of scientific theories; understanding how science and religion are not in conflict; Stewardship and the environment; Laudato Si’.
Covenant
Men of the Covenant: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses; Passover then and now; The Ten Commandments and their relevance today; Jesus – the new and everlasting covenant.
The Mass
A consideration of the main features of the Mass; symbolism, practice and significance.
The Paschal Mystery
Holy Week then and now, with particular reference to the social, political and religious background and the significance of practice in the Church today; The Resurrection and the meaning and significance of Easter for Christians today.
Prophets Old and New
Prophets of the Old Testament and Prophets of today, CST and the Church against injustice; CAFOD and Fair Trade.
World Religions: A Study of Judaism
Jewish history: – the diaspora, anti-Semitism, the Shoa; the Synagogue; the Torah; Kosher food; Bar mitzvah; the Sabbath; a trip to Manchester Jewish Museum.
Year 9:
Life as Vocation
Our own vocations; vocation to the priesthood and religious life; vocation to married life and its blessings and challenges in society today.
The Spiritual Quest (Asking ultimate questions)
An exploration of what ’I believe’; consideration of a number of arguments for the existence of God; the problem of evil and suffering; thinking about what happens when we die; does life have meaning and purpose?
World Religions: A Study of Islam
A study of Islam to include the following:- central beliefs, prayer, place of worship, pilgrimage, sacred text, the role of women in society, problems facing British Muslims.
Stations of the Cross
Religious symbolism; the significance of the cross, the crucifix and the Stations of the Cross, to include a modern take on this traditional observance with the annual creation of a set of devotional stations inspired by a particular artist or set of themed meditations.
Year 9 pupils go out on a cross-curricular RE/Art trip to study and work from a set of Stations of the Cross in situ.
Capital Punishment
Made in the Image of God
The importance of living in community; the Church’s teaching on the dignity of the human person and how it is disregarded in our world today; Christian responsibility to care for the marginalised in society; an introduction to the abortion debate.
In the Summer Term, Year 9 will begin the GCSE course.
GCSE RE
WJEC Eduqas GCSE RE Route B
The course content can be viewed in more detail on the Eduqas website but is outlined below:
Component 1: Foundational Catholic Theology
For this component learners will study two themes:
Theme 1: Origins and Meaning
Theme 2: Good and Evil
This component will be tested in an examination lasting 1 hr and 30mins
Component 2: Applied Catholic Theology
For this component learners will study two themes:
Theme 3: Life and Death
Theme 4: Sin and Forgiveness
This component will be tested in an examination lasting 1 hr and 30mins
Pupils will be required to have an understanding of a Catholic response to these issues but also understand the diversity of belief within Christianity as a whole, as well as the views of other faiths (of Judaism in particular) and non-religious viewpoints - those of Humanism and Atheism where relevant.
Within these themes is coverage of issues that engage young people; science and religion, environmental issues, abortion and euthanasia, crime and punishment; it is anticipated that the course will equip them to discuss these in an informed and balanced manner.
Component 3: Judaism
- Beliefs
- Practices (This will include a trip to the Manchester Jewish Museum and Experience)
This component will be tested in an examination lasting 1 hr
There is equal weighting on all papers in terms of the ability to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding (AO1)
- Analyse and evaluate (AO2) (This specification allows students to perfect the art of constructing a well-reasoned, well-balanced written argument - a skill which will be invaluable in further study or life in general.)
Students will be required to draw on sources of authority as well as understand the relevance of art, music and sculpture in some of the topics considered. This means that their general knowledge and appreciation of culture will improve too!
RE GCSE continues to be one of the most relevant subjects for young people today as they prepare for 21st century life in a pluralistic society; a society in which concepts, issues and beliefs need to be understood in order for it to be a society of harmony, tolerance and respect.
Y11 - GCSE AQA Spec A (Outgoing spec)
Paper 1 - The study of Religions:
Catholic Christianity - Beliefs, Teachings, Practice
Judaism - Beliefs, Teachings, Practice
Paper 2 - Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies:
Relationships and Families
Religion and Life
Crime and Punishment
Human Rights and Social Justice
This specification allows our students to gain a fuller understanding of the rich traditions of our Faith Community as well as to consider Catholicism within the context of Christianity. In addition, it allows for an in-depth study of another world faith.
The themes considered for paper 2 seek to engage students and promote discussion and debate. This specification allows young people to see the relevance of religion in the world around them and help them to realise informed opinions on some of the most important issues of today.
This specification is examined by 2x 1hr 45 mins papers at the end of year 11
The level awarded will recognise both a pupils knowledge and understanding AO1, and their ability to evaluate and construct a reasoned argument – AO2. Both these attainment objectives are equally weighted.