St Michaels Catholic High School St Michael's Catholic High School

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Religious Education

 

Religious Education is predominantly concerned with learning about and from Catholic Christianity.  

The taught curriculum meets the requirement of the Curriculum Directory for Catholic Schools set at the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The KS3 Curriculum also includes an in-depth study of world religions. 

Department STAFF

  • Miss T. Liddy (Subject Leader)
  • Mr J. O'Callaghan (Senior Leader)
  • Mrs E.Goodwin
  • Miss K. Gravestock
  • Miss S. O'Connor (Second in Department)
  • Mr C.Longer
  • Mr G.Marsegelia 

 

Contact

Contact: liddy.t@stmichaelscatholichighschool.co.uk

AIMs

  • allow students to develop an understanding what it means to be part of a faith community and a Catholic in a secular society. 
  • develop pupils’ literacy and understanding of how religious beliefs can affect the behavior and lifestyle of a believer. 
  • empower students to be active participants in their spiritual, moral and academic development. To engage the ‘teacher within’ our pupils by setting tasks that encourage the pursuit of truth through reflection, critical thinking and independent learning. 
  • create a learning environment that encourages every pupil to fulfill their God-given potential. Encourage pupils to develop their verbal and written communication skills through a variety of learning and teaching styles and activities. 
  • work in partnership with the chaplaincy to provide a varied spiritual life through daily masses, the sacrament of reconciliation, retreats, extra-curricular trips and the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. 
  • make pupils more aware of the environment in which they live, encouraging stewardship of the world around them and the development of positive attitudes and values towards people of all faiths and none, so that they are better prepared for a life as responsible, caring individuals within a multicultural society.

 

 

CURRICULUM

Students in Years 7-9 study a range of topics aimed at increasing their knowledge of people, places, cultures and the environment.

KEY STAGE 3 

 

  1.  Founders of Religion
  2.  Jesus of the Gospel
  3. The Early Church
  4. The significance of Holy week
  5. Love and Marriage
  6. Catholic Sacraments & an intro to Catholic Social Teachings

Year 7

Year 8
  1. The Catholic faith at St Michael’s & Christian Roots (Judaism)
  2. The Catholic Sources of Wisdom and Authority
  3. Prayer and Places of worship
  4. Rites of Initiation
  5. Covenants and Jewish History
  6. The Mass and the Eucharist
 

 

Year 9
  1. Arguments for the existence of God: design, causation and religious experience
  2. The problem of evil and suffering; and the solutions to the problem
  3. Forgiveness and The Sacrament of Reconciliation
  4. Conflict and resolution: Just War and Pacifism
  5. Sanctity of Life arguments: Abortion & Euthanasia
  6. Prejudice and Discrimination
  7. A study of World Religions: GCSE Judaism beliefs and teachings
 

 KEY STAGE 4

 EDUQAS - GSCE RE Catholic Christianity

 Component 1 – Foundational Catholic Theology (37.5% of overall grade – 1 ½ hour examination)

Theme 1– Origins and meaning:

  • Creation, The Bible, Paintings, Symbolism & Loving and serving in Catholic Communities in Britain and elsewhere. 

Theme 2: Good and Evil

  • Good, evil and suffering, The Trinity, Incarnation, Jesus and moral authority, Sculpture and statuary & Popular devotion in Catholic communities in Britain and elsewhere.

Component 2: Applied Catholic Theology (37.5% of overall grade 1 ½ hour examination)

Theme 3:  Life and death

  • Death and the afterlife, eschatology, the Magisterium, artefacts, music and the funeral rite & prayer within the Catholic communities in Britain and elsewhere. 

Component 3:  Judaism (25% of overall grade – 1 hour examination )

Theme 5 – Judaism: beliefs and teachings

  • The study of Judaism, the nature of God, Messiah (Mashiach), Covenants, life on earth and the afterlife. 

Theme 6 – Judaism: Practices

  • Worship: practices in Britain and elsewhere, the Synagogue, rituals, daily life and festivals

All three exams equate to one overall GCSE Result
 

KEY STAGE 5 

 EDEXCEL – A Level Religious Education

Year 1 Philosophy:  Philosophical issues and questions, The nature and influence of religious experience, the 3 Problems of evil and suffering. 

Year 1 Ethics : A study of three ethical theories (Natural Moral Law, Situation Ethics & Utiliterianism), The Application of ethical theories to issues of importance such as Sexual Ethics, Environmental Ethics, War and Peace & Equality. 

Year 1 New Testament :   A study of Social, historical and religious context of the New Testament, a study of the Texts and interpretation of the Person of Jesus, Interpreting the text and issues of relationship, purpose and authorship, interpreting the text, the purpose and authorship of the Fourth Gospel. 

Year 2: Philosophy: The study of Religious Language, language games, Critics of Religion and the topic of life and death. 

Year 2: Ethics: A study of ethical language, Religion and morality, deontology and virtue ethics and medical ethics. 

Year 2: New Testament: ways of interpreting scripture, the Kingdom of God, why did Jesus have to die? Scientific and historical critical challenges, ethical living and the works of scholars

 

 

 
 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

These trips are designed to complement the curriculum and ensure the coursework components are met.  Recent trips include:

  • Retreats in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5
  • Year 7 visit Bhaktivedanta Manor in the summer term
  • Year 8 visit Watford Central Mosque in the summer term
  • Year 9 support the Year 5 Master class and Rwanda Days
  • Year 12 General RE attend the Student Global Forum in London.

 

In This Section

St. Michael's Catholic High School

  • High Elms Lane,
  • Garston,
  • Watford,
  • Hertfordshire
  • WD25 0SS