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Religious Studies
Religious Education at All Hallows is taught to all pupils.
Staffing
We have 5 full time members of staff and who deliver the full RE curriculum to all pupils at Key Stage 3 and Key stage 4.
- Mr Burbidge – (Head of Department)
- Mr McMullen – (Teacher of RE and Deputy Headteacher)
- Mrs Bolton – (Teacher of RE)
- Mrs Donohoe – (Teacher of RE)
- Mr C McCabe – (Teacher of RE)
Accommodation
The RE Department has four purpose built rooms, each containing an interactive whiteboard. Room 36 is the department’s ICT suite which contains 22 computers for pupils to engage in podcasting and movie making.
Achievements
The RE department was graded as ‘outstanding in all areas’ in the recent Section 48 Archdiocesan Inspection. (May 2016)
The RE department also became the first Catholic school in the North West to achieve the nationally recognised ‘RE Quality Mark Gold Award’ for teaching and learning, leadership and links with the wider community. (February 2013)
All pupils follow a structured curriculum at Key Stage 3 based on the Archdiocesan Framework ‘People of God – Called to Serve’. They are taught in three periods per week during Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9. Each year pupils will study one world religion. Pupils have the opportunity to work individually, in pairs and in groups during the following topics which are studied in six half term blocks:
Year 7
Community and Baptism (Home and Family, Basic Catholic Beliefs, Baptism, Mission Statement and Form Saints)
The Bible (Bible Skills, Jesus’ Parables, Jesus’ Miracles and Advent)
Prayer (Types of Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, Places of Prayer)
Lent and Easter (Lent: A Time of Preparation, The Events of Holy Week, The Passion of Jesus, The Resurrection and The Ascension)
Creation and Pentecost (The Creation Story, Stewardship, Pentecost, Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Confirmation)
Hinduism (Beliefs and Practices)
Year 8
Judaism (Beliefs and Practices)
Jesus The New Covenant (Old Testament Covenants, The Ten Commandments, The Life of Jesus and The Greatest Commandment)
Forgiveness (Conscience and sin, Jesus’ Response to Sin, Four Stages of Forgiveness, Sacrament of Reconciliation and ‘Should we Always Forgive?’ )
Eucharist (Celebration, The Last Supper, The Mass, A Creative Response to Mass and ‘Is the Mass Important?’)
Justice (Inequalities, Jesus and Justice, Local/National/Global Justice, CAFOD and ‘How Can Christians Respond?’)
The Modern Church (The Catholic Church?, Vatican II, Pope Francis, YouCat, World Youth Day and Young People & the Church)
Year 9
Vocation (Gifts and Talents, Vocation in the Bible, Priesthood, Religious Life and Personal Vocation)
Marriage and Family Life (Different Types of Love, The Catholic Marriage Ceremony and Family Life & Parenthood)
Pilgrimage (Places of Christian Pilgrimage, Bernadette and the Story of Lourdes, Lourdes as a Pilgrimage Site and Anointing of the Sick)
Islam (Beliefs and Practices)
In the summer term pupils begin the first unit of their AQA Paper 1 course Creation (See KS4)
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Enrichment
In Year 7 pupils have the opportunity to visit the Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals in Liverpool as part of the ‘Prayer’ topic. There is also a guest speaker for the ‘Hinduism’ topic.
In Year 8 pupils have the opportunity to visit the Manchester Jewish Museum, which includes a preserved Synagogue as part of the ‘Judaism’ topic.
In Year 9 pupils have the opportunity to visit Cardinal Newman College and learn in more depth about the topic they will be studying at GCSE. There is also a guest speaker for the ‘Islam’ topic.
Pupil’s study a full GCSE in RE which consists of:
- AQA Specification B Paper 1 – Roman Catholic Christianity (Year 10)
- AQA Specification B Paper 2 – Perspectives on Faith (Year 11)
- Pupils will sit two 1hour 45 minute examinations for each Unit at the end of Year 11. Both are worth 50% of their final GCSE grade in RE.
- Pupils in Year 10 will sit a ‘mock’ examination in the summer term of Year 10.
- Pupils in Year 11 will sit a ‘mock’ examination in November of Year 11.
There are no tiered papers in RE and every pupil has full access to the whole range of number grades 9-1.
Paper 1 – Catholic Christianity (50%) – Content
1.Creation
Beliefs and Teachings
Genesis 1&2, Characteristics of God, Christian Interpretations of the Creation account, Made in the Image of God
(Sanctity of Life, Free Will, Stewardship, Human Dignity)
Forms of Expression
Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam, Stained Glass Window – Adam and Eve
Sources of Authority
Scripture: Origin of the Bible , Tradition: Natural Law and Sanctity of Life, Magisterium: Vatican II and Science
Practices
Stewardship: An Expression of ‘Love you Neighbour’, Stewardship: On a Local, National and Global Scale
CAFOD: Projects of Sustainability, CAFOD: How it Expresses Catholic Faith
2.Incarnation
Beliefs and Teachings
Jesus as Incarnate Son, Son of Man and Son of God
Forms of Expression
Symbols – Icthus, Alpha and Omega, Chi Rho, Incarnation and Art, Sculptures and Statues
Sources of Authority
Scripture: Beatitudes , Tradition: Irenaeus-Adversus Haereses, Magisterium: Dei Verbum & Verbum Domini
Practices
Grace and Sacramental Nature of Reality, Sacraments, Sanctity of Life, Imago Dei and Protection of the Unborn.
3. Triune God, Mission and Prayer
Beliefs and Teachings
Trinity in the Nicene Creed, How Belief in the Trinity Influences Genesis 1:1-3
Trinity in Catholic Life today
Forms of Expression
Different Styles of Music , Mass Settings, Eucharistic Acclamations
Sources of Authority
Scripture: Trinity in Mark and Galations, Tradition: St Augustine and Catherine LaCugna, Magisterium: Catholic Doctrine of the Trinity
Practices
Baptism, Types of Prayer, Prayer and Posture
4. Redemption
Beliefs and Teachings
Death of Jesus, Resurrection and Ascension, Salvation and Grace, Influence on Liturgy
Forms of Expression
Architecture and Design of Churches, Church Furnishings, Contrasting Artefacts
Sources of Authority
Scripture: Redemption in Mark, John and Acts, Tradition: Salvation in Irenaeus and Anselm, Magisterium: Conscience and Gaudium et Spes
Practices
The Mass, Words of Institution, Agnus Dei, Real Presence
5. Church and Kingdom of God
Beliefs and Teachings
Kingdom of God in the Our Father, Catholic Teaching on Justice, Peace and Reconciliation, The Hierarchy of the Church
Forms of Expression
Dramatised Prayer – Stations of the Cross, Pilgrimage , Mission and Evangelism in Drama
Sources of Authority
Scripture: Mary as Model Disciple, Magnificat , Tradition: Four Marks of the Church – Apostolic Succession, Magisterium: Conciliar and Pontifical & Catholic Social Teaching
Practices
Love of Neighbour, Two Catholic Agencies, Vocation, Life of an Important Figure
6. Eschatology, Life, Death and Eternity
Beliefs and Teachings
Life After Death, Christian Beliefs about Life After Death
The Four Last Things – Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell
Memorials
Forms of Expression
Paschal Candle, Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgement’ , Memorials
Sources of Authority
Scripture: The Rich Man and Lazarus, Tradition: Cosmic Reconciliation of All Things
Magisterium: Vatican II – Lumen Gentium & Catechism
Practices
The Last Rites, Funerals, Care of the Dying, Euthanasia
Paper 2 – Perspectives on Faith (50%) – Content
Belief
1.Judaism
Key Beliefs
The Nature of God, The Divine Presence, Life After Death, Sanctity of Human Life, Messiah
Covenant & Mitzvot
Covenant with Abraham, Moses and the Ten Commandments, Key Moral Principles, Free Will and 613 Mitzvot
Synagogue and Worship
Design of Synagogues, Services in Orthodox and Reformed Synagogues, Prayer, Shabbat in the Home, Worship in the Home, Written and Oral Law
Family Life and Friends
Rituals: Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Marriage, Dietary Laws, Festivals
Themes (2 out of 3 themes are studied)
1.Religion, Relationships and Families
- Relationships and the human condition
- Perspectives on Relationship, Families and Responsibilities
- Gender and Equality and Discrimination.
2.Religion Peace and Conflict
- Perspectives on human violence, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation
- Societal War and Just War
- Holy War and Pacifism
- Terrorism and Conflict Resolution
3. Human Rights and Social Justice
- Human Rights and Religious Freedom
- Perspectives on Wealth
- Perspectives on Poverty
- Prejudice and Discrimination
The GCSE Examination Board
The RE department has opted for the AQA Examination Board as the one which most suits All Hallows pupils. For further details their website is www.aqa.org.uk
(See KS4 for more information)
Retreats
Along with Chaplaincy, the RE department runs a very popular and successful retreat programme. Each year group has the opportunity to take part in a different retreat every year.
Year 8 – Castlerigg
Pupils go on a weekend retreat to Castlerigg Manor, Keswick. It is a very popular residential youth centre, in beautiful surroundings, run by Lancaster Diocese. The retreat will be lead by a team of young adults with a variety of activities such as art work, drama, games, walks and times of prayer and reflection.
The website www.castleriggmanor.co.uk offers more details.
Year 9 – Savio House
Pupils go on a two day retreat during the week to Savio House. The centre is set in stunning scenery in the foothills of the Pennine Hills between Buxton and Macclesfield. The retreats are led by a team of young adults and there is be a variety and balance of activities such as games, team building exercises, art work, drama, prayer and a disco. The main aim, however, is to give the pupils the experience of living and working as a community for a few days.
The website www.virtualsavio.com offers more details.
Year 10 – Castlerigg
Pupils go on a weeklong retreat to Castlerigg Manor, Keswick. It is a very popular residential youth centre, in beautiful surroundings, run by Lancaster Diocese. The retreat will be lead by a team of young adults with a variety of activities such as art work, drama, games, walks and times of prayer and reflection. Issues such as prejudice and discrimination, poverty and equality will be examined throughout the week.
The website www.castleriggmanor.co.uk offers more details
Year 11 – Castlerigg
Pupils go on what is their last weekend retreat to Castlerigg Manor, Keswick. It is a very popular retreat as it provides the last chance for Year 11 pupils to go on retreat together before their summer exams. It gives them a chance to reflect on their school lives, the challenges that lie ahead and what their future holds.
The website www.castleriggmanor.co.uk offers more details
Year 10 RE / History Pilgrimage to Rome
Every two years the RE and History departments run a pilgrimage to Rome. There have been 5 previous pilgrimages for Years 9&10 in 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016. These were very successful and included visits to Vatican City, Sistene Chapel, St Peter’s Basillica, the Vatican museum, the Colosseum and Roman Forum and ending in witnessing the Pope’s weekly blessing at St Peter’s square. The main aim of the pilgrimage is to give pupils an experience of being at the centre of the Catholic faith as well as seeking historical sites of interest.