Religious Education
Department Curriculum
Years 7 and 8 (Key Stage 3) follow a scheme of work based on the Christian syllabus: ‘The New Religion for Living’ supplemented by relating these topics to other world faiths. We study Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam.
Pupils in Year 9 begin the GCSE Course: OCR Christian Philosophy and Applied Ethics. There is no coursework and all pupils take the course as a core subject. The GCSE exam is taken at the end of Year 10.
Spiritual Reflection and Creative Activities
Pupils have the opportunity to have time at the Brothers’ House during the school year, where they reflect, discuss and take part in creative activities. We also have a beautiful Chapel at the heart of the school and this is used to teach topics such as ‘worship’ as well as for personal reflection and for school services. Lessons also often incorporate quiet time: pupils will often ask if they can have meditation so they can stop and reflect during the busyness of the school day.
Visit
The Department has taken pupils to the local synagogue and to the mosque, and we have invited our local imam to speak to all of Year 8. A group of Year 9 pupils go to the outdoor Wintershall ‘Life of Christ’ play. Groups of Year 10 attend extension lectures on philosophy and ethics prior to their exam. Visitors to the classroom include the relationships charity ‘Lovewise’, CAFOD, Street Pastors and an army chaplain.
La Sallian Link
Much is made of the link to other LaSallian Schools: retreats are organised for all year groups with St Peter’s in Bournemouth and we attend the philosophy and ethics lectures with them. St John’s took the Chinese New Year assembly to St Peter’s. We attended the first LaSallian camp in Liverpool where many LaSallian schools in Britain came together to celebrate our identity and our mission. St John’s also supports LaSallian schools in developing countries: 6th Form pupils and teachers regularly go out and take part in projects in places such as India and parts of Africa. The school raises money throughout the year in support of the projects.
