General Aims

The study of religion is often seen as unimportant or even irrelevant in a materialistic society where science and technology have assumed the mantle of ultimate authority. However, religion has shaped elements of our society such as law and literature. More important still is the idea of the numinous, the question of a supreme being as creator, sustainer and ultimately judge of our lives. Pupils at The Beacon should have the opportunity to consider such questions and be able to articulate opinions about them by learning and understanding the issues involved.

Specifically pupils should:

• know, understand and form opinions about the religious beliefs, practices and attitudes of Christianity and other religions
• be familiar with the main events and characters of the Bible, including their historical, cultural and political background
• be encouraged to express opinions about religious beliefs, practices and attitudes and to evaluate the need for personal, social and spiritual development, as well as moral and ethical standards
• be able to understand and respect the beliefs of other people without compromising their own beliefs
• appreciate something of how religious ideas have influenced society and history and continue to do so

A number of methods are used such as creative writing, model building, visits, use of artefacts. I.C.T. is being used increasingly and more recent projects have included re-writing ‘the Fall’ as a tabloid front page; re-telling the story of Joshua in the form of a video cover; using a digital camera and a presentation software to re-tell the near sacrifice of Isaac. Work is mostly done individually but there is much whole-class discussion and some scope for small group work and discussion.

Elizabeth Coupe
Head of Religious Studies