Religious Education
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Lay Staff |
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Welcome to the Religious Education Department
RE is where you learn about different people's deepest beliefs and ideas, especially Catholic belief. Ever since humans have existed, so has our desire to discover the meaning of life.
On these pages you will find information about the RE curriculum at Bishop Challoner. All students take RE from year 7 through to year 11 and we try to make RE a subject where they not only learn about Christian beliefs but think about the most important questions of life. As result we explore ultimate questions and important moral issues in the world today.
By the end of a student's time at Bishop Challoner we hope that they will have considered all the big religious, ethical and philosophical questions of life that will hopefully prepare them for adult life.
By the end of a student's time at Bishop Challoner we hope that they will have considered all the big religious, ethical and philosophical questions of life that will hopefully prepare them for adult life.
The following clip was made by a Bishop Challoner student and highlights the issues that a pupil in key stage 3 will study in Religious Education at Bishop Challoner.
Year 7
Units in year 7 are intended to stimulate pupil's interest in a range of issues that concern the world they live in and the sort of person they might want to become.
Pupils will consider issues such as different philosophies people may have regarding the meanining and purpose of life. Pupils are also given the opportunity to reflect on how various ways that people may try to find happiness and fulfilment through the way they approach life.
The schemes of work also allow pupils to think about why people believe in God and how faith in God can help and guide you through life.
The schemes of work also allow pupils to think about why people believe in God and how faith in God can help and guide you through life.
The aim of the units studied in year 7 are intended to introduce year 7 pupils to a range of important and relevant issues that they will continually have opportunities to reflect upon during their studies of Religious Education.
Year 8
Units in year 8 are intended to make pupils reflect upon how they may behave in society and the importance of living a responsible and worthwhile life.
Units include looking at how a person may decide what is right and wrong and how responsible citizens are for caring and helping each other.
Pupils will also have the opportunity to reflect upon how people can be influenced by the media and the world around them and the importance of understanding why it is important to follow influences that can guide you towards a meaningful existence.
Year 9
Units in year 9 are intended to begin preparing pupils for issues that will be relevant to the world that they are growing up in and help them to reflect on what behaviour they think is justified. Pupils will have opportunities to reflect upon how much freedom a person should be entitled to and why freedom brings responsibilities. Pupils will also have the opportunity to think about important moral issues in the world and help them to develop a sense of what they feel is a moral way to live.
These units are also intended to introduce pupils to issues that will arise in the GCSE course they will study in key stage 4.
Key stage 4 Religious Education focuses on a range of issues and topics that will have an impact on pupils in their adult life.
The aim of key stage 4 Religious Education is to make pupils aware of what is happening in the society they live in and to help them develop a sense of what they feel is right or wrong. Pupils will have the opportunity to focus on issues such as is it ever right to go to war? How and why should criminals be punished? Why is it important to care for The Environment, The importance of family life, should Euthanasia be allowed? Issues concerning abortion, how the voting system in The U.K works and issues regarding the debate between science and religion. These issues are intended to help develop a sense of right and wrong amongst pupils and prepare them for opinion regarding relevant issues in the world they live in
Post 16 allows pupils to study and reflect on important issues in the world regarding what is right or wrong behaviour and various ways that people live their life.
The aim of this course is to help develop pupils beliefs systems regarding what is ethical in the world we live in. Philosophy and Ethics is consistently a popular option amongst pupils and an A level in Philosophy and Ethics is particularly usual for a pupil who may be interested in a career in law, medicine, social work, nursing, teaching, charity work and journalism.Examples of issues that are studied post 16 include:Situation Ethics (should love be the only rule we live by?)
- Utilitarianism (should I make moral decisions based upon The Greatest Good for THE greatest Number)
- Is it ever right to go to war?
- The Design Argument (Does the beauty of the world we live in proove God's existence?)
- The problem of evil (does the existence of evil in the world mean there is no God?)
- Do miracles exist?
- Religious Experiences
Soli House
When in year 10 and 12, pupils get the opportunity to go to the Catholic Youth Retreat Centre 'Soli House', in the heart of Stratford upon Avon. Soli is a great place for bonding with friends and also developing and sharing your faith. All pupils that go to Soli House always bring joy and happiness back with them, and everyone always wants to go again.
There is youth mass each night, and also a theme of staying in your small group for a few hours each day where you will have prayer focus. Soli provides time to think about your place in the world and also time to think about your relationship with God. It really helps with learning and growing as the people of God.Alton CastleAlton Castle is another Catholic Youth Retreat Centre that students get the opportunity to go on in year 8. With it being a quiet, rural area, (away from the distractions that the city and also school can bring) it really gives time for students to reflect. There are many opportunities for students to show their talents, either by performing in the mass, in group discussions, in activities or talent night. Group discussions include topics like "What is the meaning of life?" and "How should I involve God in my life?". Activities include things from rock climbing to astronomy and every day is fun filled and jam packed with entertainment.
The Shoe Box Appeal
Well done to the Sixth Form Chaplaincy group who helped to organsise the shoe box appeal.
The shoe box appeal involves pupils from Bishop Challoner creating a box full of toys and treats that are forwarded to disadvantaged children in Romania.
The shoe box appeal involves pupils from Bishop Challoner creating a box full of toys and treats that are forwarded to disadvantaged children in Romania.
Due to the generosity of our students hundreds of young children will receive presents this Christmas.