Why is Religious Education important?
Religious Education is important at it actively promotes the values of truth, justice, tolerance, respect for all and care of the environment. It places specific emphasis on pupils valuing themselves and others, the role of family and the community in religious belief and activity, the celebration of diversity in society through understanding similarities and differences, and human stewardship of the earth.
Religious Education also recognises the changing nature of society, including changes in religious practice and expression and the influence of religion in the local, national and global community.  In the Roman Catholic and Lasallian school Religious Education plays a vital role in developing the pupils as children of God, created with a purpose and a vocation.  It also contributes in an invaluable way to the partnership trinity of school, parish and Church.  
Staffing

Departmental Aims
“In our work as educators we value the importance and uniqueness of each person, helping him/her to realise their potential so that she/he may come to live a full Christian life, aware of and committed to his/her Christian mission in the world, capable of using freedom intelligently and of interpreting reality in the light of Faith and Doctrine.” (Vatican II – Declaration on Education)
To develop and strengthen in each pupil a personal relationship with God, in partnership with their home and parish.
To foster knowledge, understanding and practice of the teaching and tradition of the Roman Catholic Faith.
To deepen each pupils’ sense of belonging to a faith community and to encourage their full participation in its life and liturgy.
To encourage an appreciation of each pupil’s own dignity, uniqueness and self-worth, as human beings created in the image and likeness of God.
To help each pupil to develop an informed conscience and an appreciation of their responsibility for their actions and choices.
To enable pupils to become more familiar with scripture as the inspired Word of God, to be lived out in their daily lives.
To afford opportunities through charity work for the Gospel to become a living reality.
To instil attitudes of respect for, and acceptance of, all persons as members of God’s family, regardless of religion, social position, race, age, education etc.
To develop the critical skills necessary to learn, understand and evaluate information.
To nurture student’s self esteem in order to promote successful learning and personal development.
To ensure pupils are provided with the opportunities to reach their highest possible standards, both academically and spiritually.
To employ the use of a variety teaching and learning styles to develop a wide range of intellectual and social skills that will facilitate moral decision making both in the present and the future.

The Curriculum
Key Stage 3
All students in Years 8-10 follow the Fully Alive Programme
Years 8 - 10 3 x 35 minute periods per week  

Key Stage 4
Year 11 & 12 AQA GCSE Specification A (Options 1C and 2B)
  www.aqa.org.uk
Religious Studies is a compulsory GCSE.
Year 11 - 12 5 x 35 minute periods per week (GCSE) 

Post 16
Year 13 CCEA AS Religious Studies (Options AS1 & AS4)
www.ccea.org.uk
Year 13  8 x 35 minute periods per week (AS)
  2 x 35 Minute periods (non exam)

Year 14 CCEA A2 Religious Studies (Options A21 & A24)
  www.ccea.org.uk
Year 14  9 x 35 minute periods per week (A2)  
    2 x 35 Minute periods (non exam)