Religious Education
The RE department at Arthur Mellows is an enthusiastic and thriving department that comprises of 2 specialist RE teachers and a number of non specialist teachers. The RE department is a popular department with growing numbers of students opting to take RE GCSE Full course and Philosophy and Ethics A Level.
The RE department has three rooms dedicated to the subject in the Humanities block. Each classroom is equipped with electronic whiteboards and DVD players. We are a well-resourced department with up to date text books, shared power points, and DVD’s for each Key Stage. We also have a wealth of religious artefacts to engage students and help bring their learning to life.
Key Stage 3
In Year 7 RE, students study Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In Year 8 they study Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Students gain knowledge and understanding of these religions through the topics of: people, worship, places, writings, religious calendar, self and community. In Year 9 RE, students study “Rites of Passage”; this includes looking at how coming of age ceremonies are celebrated and commemorated in different religious traditions. Year 9 students also study “Religion and the Media” and a unit on Relationships, considering issues such as marriage, divorce, contraception and gender roles from the perspectives of Christianity and Hinduism in preparation for GCSE RE. Our Key Stage 3 assessments are based on GCSE style questions in order for students to achieve a smoother transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4.
Key Stage 4
Religious Studies full course is a popular option for many students. It covers 8 units which examine religious beliefs, practices and ethical dilemmas from the perspectives of Christianity and Hinduism.
Key Stage 5
Students follow the Religious Studies A Level – studying Hinduism, Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics. It is a very popular course and has a history of very successful results.