RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Mr C Gaynor-Smith - Head of Department
Mrs S Hood

The department ensures that a broad and comprehensive syllabus is delivered across Key Stages 3 and 4, as well as the Sixth Form curriculum.

The AS and A2 courses follow the Edexcel specification, and focus on the areas of philosophy of religion and ethical studies. Those students taking Religious Studies plan to pursue a wide variety of university courses, ranging from medicine to law, and including philosophy and business studies.

The Key Stage 4 programme for GCSE follows the Edexcel specification. There are two main components, which are Religion and Life from a Christian Perspective and a study of the religious traditions of Hinduism. In addition Religious Education is part of the Personal and Social education programme in Year 10.

Religious Education at Key Stage 3 focuses on understanding the main religious traditions and thereby having appreciation of different perspectives on social issues, such as prejudice and the rôle of women. As well as Christianity, students also have the opportunity to learn about Judaism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism.

The main aim of Religious Education at Hymers is to expand the knowledge and understanding of religious ideas and so ensure that our pupils are well-informed and able to debate ethical and social issues in a comprehensive manner.

C Gaynor-Smith