The society in which we live are changing. Britain and Wales are fast becoming a multicultural society with a vast array of languages, traditions, religions and cultures. In order for everyone to co-exist, it is essential that our pupils are aware of these traditions in order for them to grow into well balanced, tolerant citizens.

The Religious Studies Department provides the essential information for the pupils. We discuss moral, cultural and religious issues, and introduce the reasons for doing certain things in order to celebrate differences rather than be afraid of them.

Subject Leader

• Mrs Llinos Rees

Subject Teacher

• Miss Hayley Wall

Key Stage 3

We mainly study Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. The main focus in years 7 and 8 is Hinduism and Christianity, by looking at worship, ideas about God and the main mile stones in the two faiths. In Year 9, we look at the various beliefs people have regarding God, the role of religion within our society and how people are affected by religion. We also look at a new ‘religion’ to the pupils that has proven to be popular with many celebrities such as Richard Gere and Tina Turner, that is Buddhism, by looking at the main ideas and way of life. The pupils receive several opportunities to take part in various activities, pair and group work, discussions and presentations, creative work in addition to several thinking skills based tasks in order for the pupils to familiarize themselves with the basic content of the lessons and ensure that the have solid knowledge of religion in our society in this century.

Key Stage 4

The Religious Studies is compulsory in KS4 and the department offers three courses. The pupils can, depending on their set, sit a short course G.C.S.E that looks at maters regarding love and relationships within Christianity and Islam, the planet and our role within it, Looking for meaning and issues regarding fairness and unfairness in the world – this course will last two years. The second option that is offered is the above course in addition to an extra short course in Year 11. This includes the role of religion in conflict across the world, religion and medicine and moral issues, how people express their religion and the role of the state within religious matters. If option one is followed, there will be one examination at the end of Year 11, if following option two, there will be one examination at the end of May in Year 10 and the second at the end of Year 11. The second option will provide the pupils with a full G.C.S.E qualification in Religious Studies. The third option that is offered is E.L Religious Education. The same options are studies as in the short course, however the pupils are assessed via course work rather than one examination. There are five pieces of course work that includes oral work, creative tasks and work based on a film. This course lasts two years.

Key Stage 5

The students in years 12 and 13 follow courses offered by the WJEC. In Year 12, the students study two modules, one that looks at the Buddhist religion, by concentrating on the founder, the Buddha, his teachings and guidance for life, worship and meditation and the role of the Buddhist monks, the Sangha. The second module that is studied is religion within the contemporary society. Within this module, students have the opportunity to study the role of religion within the media by looking at soap operas, The Simpsons and religious specific broadcasting. The role of religion within medical ethics is studied by looking at Euthanasia and the arguments surrounding the role of animals in our society. There is also an opportunity to study philosophy of religion by looking at two important figures, Freud and Jung. Students also study to what extent religion has lost its appeal today and the role of New Religious Movements within our society.

In Year 13, again two modules are studies. The first is a Synoptic unit that is mainly a personal study on Life, death and life after death. The students have the opportunity to study more independently by researching for an extended essay that will be written under exam conditions. The main focus will be and how beliefs in the afterlife within at least two religions effect individuals behavior in the present. The second module is a continuation of the study of religion in contemporary society. A section of this further study is how religion and faith communities are portrayed within film – Bend it like Beckham, East is East and Solomon and Gaenor, how religious themes are interlinked within films such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Matrix. Students also add to their understanding of the philosophy of religion by looking at the ideas of Karl Marx, Weber and Durkeim. The students also look at sociological theories on religion and the effect that religion has on the individual and how religion has lead to theories on psychological health. The role of religion within the state is also studied and weather the government has the right to control people’s religious ideas.

Statutory Religious Education

Due to the fact that RE is a statutory subject throughout a pupils school career, in Years 10 and 11, G.C.S.E or E.L courses are followed in response to this requirement. In Years 12/13 there is a diverse cross-curricular programme of study that looks at Medical Ethics, religion and food and New Religious movements such as cults.