Religious Education in St Michael's school aims primarily at nurturing the faith of our pupils through a constant deepening of our own spirituality and an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic tradition, including various aspects of Catholic belief and practices. It also promotes tolerance and insight into the beliefs of other Christian and non-Christian traditions. Every year, in the summer we hold a “World Religions Day” where outside speakers are invited to lead workshops with our year 7 pupils.
In addition to Religion lessons we provide opportunities for pupils to participate in school Masses, liturgies, reconciliation services-where every pupil in the school is given an opportunity to talk one of our local priests and to receive the Sacrament of reconciliation and through our retreats programme based at Whitstable in Kent and we encourage them to be generous to many of our adopted charities, including Afrikids, the Shoe Box Appeal for deprived children, the Pensioner’s Hamper Appeal, CAFOD and the Catholic Children’s Society. Last year, during our lenten appeal we raised over £2000 for our dedicated charities. |
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In addition to Religion lessons we provide opportunities for pupils to participate in school Masses, liturgies, reconciliation services-where every pupil in the school is given an opportunity to talk one of our local priests and to receive the Sacrament of reconciliation and through our retreats programme based at Whitstable in Kent and we encourage them to be generous to many of our adopted charities, including Afrikids, the Shoe Box Appeal for deprived children, the Pensioner’s Hamper Appeal, CAFOD and the Catholic Children’s Society. Last year, during our lenten appeal we raised over £2000 for our dedicated charitie.
Key Stage 3 -Programme of Study
In KS3 we follow the Way, the Truth and the Life programme of study. This syllabus is based on the Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic schools. It has been developed by teachers in direct response to a perceived need for a clear framework for effective, systematic and rigorous teaching and learning, at least equal to that of other curriculum areas. To this end it addresses both content and methodology.
Here is a summary of the Key stage 3 programme.
Years 10 and 11
Programme of Study
At present all pupils in 10 and 11 follow the AQA Specification A course leading to GCSE The course is composed of two parts:
1) Unit 2-Ethics and Christianity which looks at a wide range of social. moral and religious issues.
2) Unit 5-A detailed study of the Christian Life and the Gospel, looking at the person of Jesus in St Mark's Gospel and the ways in which modern beliefs and practices have been drawn from the Gospel account.
There is no coursework or controlled assignments.
We promote awareness and understanding of moral and social issues, including HIV/AIDS, drugs, world poverty and sex education, encouraging an enquiring critical and sympathetic approach to religion.
Pupils are introduced to the varied nature of religion and to the ways in which this is reflected in experience, belief and practice.
Examination
Candidates will be entered for the examination in a single tier of entry. The final assessment consists of two one and a half hour papers on each of the above units.. Each exam is worth 50% of the final marks.
Pupils are encouraged to attend the regular after school study clubs, the Saturday school sessions and there are regular revision and coursework sessions during school holidays. GCSE results have been consistently around 55% A-C grade for the past three years.
RE GCSE RESULTS 2011-RE 68% (Full course) Philosophy and Ethics 100% (Full Course)
Year 12
In year 12 pupils can choose to follow AS/A2 Religious Studies and these year 12 pupils are following the AQA specification focusing on The History of Christianity and Religion in Contemporary Society. There are two 1 and a quarter hour written exams for both these AS modules.
All other year 12 pupils follow the NOCN general Religious Education at level 1 in year 12 and level 2 in year 13
Trips and activities
Pupils benefit from a wide range of trips and activities and these include trips to New York and Rome. Also trips to synagogues, Mosques, to Southwark cathedral, local Churches, convents and the convent at Tyburn. We have year quizzes with class and individual prizes and we have treasure hunts. We have visits from many outside speakers, Mr and Mrs Mixen have been into assemblies, as has Paschal, the chaplain who greeted the Pope when he visited Britain last year, Damilola Taylor's father has visited us and we have had many visitors form various Christian denominations including the Salvation Army and from other world religions, including Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism
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Department Staff
HOD - Mr Frank O'Sullivan
RE Reachers - Mr Conor Mahon, Ms Caroline Delaney, Ms Kelly Murphy and Ms Angela Ward.
Chaplain - Mrs Kate Ballard
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