Religious Education

RE Department Staff

Curriculum Leader: Mr J Murray

Religious Education Teachers
Mrs T Barrow, Mrs N Burton, Mrs S Phillipson & Miss L Rushforth

Curriculum Maps

GCSE Options

Religious Education

Exam Information & Revision Resources

Exam Information

GCSE Religious Education Revision Resources

Intent

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. An a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Mt. 22:37-39)

At St Thomas More Catholic High, Religious Education is a core subject that provides pupils with a “forum where ‘reason enters into dialogue with faith’, where the pursuit of truth opens the mind and then the heart, to address the ‘deepest of questions of the human soul’.” (Religious Education Directory 2023). We encourage our pupils to commit to a search of truth and as a department we help to mould hearts and minds to instil within all, a sense of mission and a commitment to lifelong learning. We endeavour as the ‘core of the core’ curriculum subject, to help pupils to build a solid foundation from which our young people can build their adult lives. In the first instance we do this through, presenting the story of the Catholic Christian faith. We recognise that for some pupils this may be the first time they hear of the Catholic faith and for others, Religious Education will help them to gain a better understanding of their beliefs. Pupils will be afforded the opportunity to bear witness to their faith and/or beliefs in a safe and inclusive environment, where they will always experience, a culture of dialogue and debate within a sacred space where the Catholic Social Teaching themes of Dignity of the Human Person, Solidarity, Care for God’s Creation, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, Family and Community, Dignity of Work and Education permeate through our entire curriculum and where pupils are encouraged to promote the Common Good for all in everything they do.

The Religious Education Department endeavour to help our pupils to know God and understand that they have been chosen by God and are loved by God, and as such they have a responsibility to develop their God-given gifts and talents for the betterment of society. This will help pupils to grow to be well-rounded moral individuals who will be confident global citizens. Our pupils will gain foundations in concepts of religious awareness which will help them to become religiously literate young people. They will see the huge positivity in living in a multi-faith society. As such we endeavour for pupils to ‘dialogue and engage with the world at large.’ (Religious Education Directory 2023) By learning about God and what it means to live as a community we aim to encourage our pupils to fulfil Jesus’ Greatest Commandment to love God and their neighbour throughout their lives.

Catholic Social Teaching with Religious Education

Our Religious Education lessons are alive in the teachings of the Catholic Church. We promote the Common Good, that there are no exclusions. Our lessons are inclusive and safe discussion spaces. The Dignity of the Human Person is followed as we teach respect, tolerance and seeing the joy in each human. Solidarity is shown in the group work and presentation opportunities, along with subsidiarity, as we ensure that all children in our classrooms are heard and have a platform to view their opinions. Care for God’s creation is integral to Religious Education as we teach pupils that we are all created in the image and likeness of God and we therefore have a responsibility to care for each other and for the planet. Pope Francis and Laudate Si teaches us to care for God’s common home. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable is expressed through our lessons in the way that we look at social injustices and vulnerabilities in different communities. Family and Community means that RE celebrates and rewards our pupils. The Dignity of Work and Education is shown through the high standards and expectations in our lessons as well as through the promotion of having a love of learning and curiosity in RE.

Pupil Affirmation

“We get to explore the big questions in our RE lessons.”

“My opinions matter in Religious Education.”

“RE lessons help us to understand how to put our faith into action.”

“I love attending Diocesan events!”

Learning Outside of the Classroom

The Religious Education Department encourages pupils to live a ‘faith-led’ life and to be seekers of truth. We provide a range of opportunities for pupils to shine as ‘beacons of hope’ in our world.

The Religious Education Department regularly work with our local clergy who support us by leading liturgies as well as celebrating Mass. Pupils are offered opportunities to take on roles during these celebrations where they receive formation from their class teachers. Additionally, our clergy provide opportunities throughout the year for pupils and staff to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.

Pupils are encouraged to work as the Body of Christ through their involvement in the Faith in Action (FIA). This group, which is open to all pupils, strives to work for the Common Good, by making our school family aware of the many injustices that people face in our local community, as well as nationally and internationally and lead on fundraising events to help support their neighbour wherever and whoever they are. FIA members also lead on the annual Year 5 retreat where pupils from our Catholic feeder schools attend a mini retreat in our school in the Trinity term.

Pupils are encouraged through the department to get involved in Diocesan events, such as, Mini-Dash where pupils gain a greater understanding of how they belong to a wider network of Catholic schools.

Year 11 pupils are also encouraged to join the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes which is organised by the Shrewsbury Youth Mission Team.

So that pupils experience how religions are practised, opportunities are given to visit churches as well as a Jewish synagogue. Pupils also have an opportunity in Year 10 to visit Krakow for a three-day residential to explore Auschwitz and Birkenau. This helps pupils to understand the need for reconciliation and peace in our world. It gives a real example of the importance of Dignity for the Human Person.

In Year 10 pupils are also encouraged to attend a Retreat to Soli House. Pupils are given the opportunity to explore their faith life and consider Catholic Social Teachings in their own lives.

The RE Department contributes to the Year 7 Conway residential, by allowing pupils to spend time in retreat and reflection, through prayer and contemplation.

Inclusivity

As a department we recognise that we encounter God’s work of art in each of our pupils where their God-given talents are celebrated. As God’s handiwork, the diversity of our pupils, including Disadvantaged and Achievement for All is celebrated through bespoke lessons where pupils are encouraged to think for themselves and to grow in understanding of what they believe, recognising that the world is a very noisy place where there are a lot of different influencers.

We are an inclusive department where all viewpoints are listened to, valued and examined. All pupils are encouraged to fulfil their potential regardless of their ability. We encourage pupils to see the wonder of life in everything that they do.

Reading

Reading is essential in Religious Education as pupils need to gain a wide understanding of what it takes to be a global citizen and how they can contribute to God’s world. While reading books is important, pupils will also recognise that reading takes place across a variety of platforms and are encouraged to read online articles as well as books. Pupils are regularly requested to read around the topics that are being studied in lessons. This may take place as set homework tasks.

Reading takes place during all lessons where pupils are often challenged with new vocabulary. Pupils are made aware of a set of key words/terms at the beginning of each unit of work which they are required to learn during the unit of study.

Rewards

In Religious Education we celebrate the successes of the work of our pupils in a variety of ways. All staff will reward positive participation in lessons through the whole-school Bromcom system. Every half term, pupils with the highest number of points are rewarded and receive a ‘Kingdom Builder’ award. Their successes are celebrated on social media. Excellent work and effort are also celebrated in lessons where constructive feedback is given on pupils’ work. Communication is also sent home to inform parent’s and carers of their child's successes.