Religious Education Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 pupils follow the Programme of Study provided by the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle . Students are assessed in line with the Levels of Attainment agreed by the Bishops' Conference Department for Catholic Education and Formation. The breath of study includes:
- Catholic Christianity in all its richness.
- Two other principal religions, one Abrahamic and one other.
- National and global Catholic cultural heritage
- The main developments of the history of the Church in Britain .
- A secular worldview where appropriate.
- Moral education including differences in the human and moral framework
- The philosophy of religion where appropriate.
In Year 7 the course is delivered through 5 strands;
- The Church.-Students investigate the origin of the Catholic Church, its hierarchy and forms of worship today.
- Jesus-Students learn about the Life of Jesus and his ministry.
- Reconciliation-Students examine the Sacrament of Reconciliation and its importance in the modern day.
- Judaism and Islam-Students are introduced to the main teachings and practices of Judaism and Islam.
- Prejudice and Discrimination-Students study the various ways that people experience discrimination.
In Year 8 the course is delivered through 5 strands;
- Roman Catholic Sources and Principles of Right and Wrong.-Students investigate the sources of Catholic belief and how they are put into practice in the modern world.
- Love- Students examine the different types of love and compare the Roman Catholic Sacrament of Marriage to ceremonies of Marriage in two other world faiths.
- War and Peace-Students evaluate whether War can be justified and in particular evaluate Just War Theory and Pacifism.
- Crime and Punishment-Students assess the reasons for the Punishment of Criminals. They also study the Life and Work of Helen Prejean in campaigning against the Death Penalty.
- Life after Death-Students analyse the varying beliefs about Life after Death.
In Year 9 (Students still follow the old ICONS course which will be replaced in 2009/2010 with the Hexham and Newcastle Programme of Study)
The course is delivered through three modules;
- Faith Challenges
- At the Heart of Belief
- A Vision for Living.
The module includes looking at how conflict and adversity is experienced and dealt with. It also examines how belief can unite and divide communities. Pupils consider the Christian belief about Jesus Christ and the place of Muhammad within Islam. Pupils also reflect upon the themes of Prayer, Love and Pilgrimage.
