Religious Education In the life of faith of the Catholic school, Religious Education plays a central and vital part. This does not however replace the role of the parents who are the first and most important teachers of the Catholic faith. It is the parents who take their children for their baptism in the Catholic faith and it is the parents who act as role models for their children, encouraging them to grow in the knowledge and practise of their faith. We like to work in partnership with the family and try to ensure that pupils see the beliefs and values being taught in R.E. lived out in the home and family. To this end we see the support of parents for all R.E. and spiritual enrichment as vital to the Catholic Ethos of the school. R.E., then, as well as being a strong academic subject, is the core/foundation for everything in our lives. Reflecting this "lived faith", the school provides special services and assemblies to celebrate the liturgical year. We hope that these occasions strengthen the faith of our pupils. The aim of the R.E. course is to facilitate pupils on their faith journey and provide an environment that encourages development of their own faith as well as the understanding of religious faith in our multifaith society. Understanding and tolerance of other faiths, is central to living as a Christian citizen in our global community. Pupils also need to know how religion has an impact on how people live their lives. Ultimately, learning from religion as well as learning about religion. The course for KS3 follows the Archdiocesan programme prescribed by the Catholic Education Department. Pupils will be encouraged to develop a variety of skills such as self-management, thinking skills and problem solving, managing information, working with others and being creative. Work in R.E will include research, group work, use of ICT to generate homework or project work, collage, extended writing, creative writing and empathy. There will be marked assessments as this subject is valued alongside the other academic subjects and is considered one of the four core subjects at St. Peter's. All pupils will be tested and progress will be monitored. Pupils will be expected to do homework according to the department homework policy. There may be times when pupils work on an assessment spanning several weeks in which pupils will be expected to work independently. At KS4 pupils follow the Edexcel examination syllabus and study 2 papers. The course focuses on the Beliefs, Practices and Effects of the Catholic Faith. We also examine various moral issues and analyse different Christian attitudes towards these issues. The course looks at religious arguments about modern issues including cloning, genetic engineering, organ donation, justice, crime and punishment, war and peace and environmental issues. It is our belief that Religious Education is essential if a person is to live effectively and faithfully in our modern world, it is our hope that in studying these social issues our pupils will realise the relevance and importance of R.E. lessons which aim to equip pupils to understand and evaluate life in the modern world. Pupils are expected to complete end of module tests at the end of each unit of work and a mock examination. Pupils are taught in groups according to their level of ability and are encouraged to achieve their full potential. This examination course whilst giving pupils the opportunity to enhance their academic achievement also focuses on the knowledge, understanding, and evaluation skills that are essential if our pupils are to grow spiritually and develop their faith for their future lives.
Education in Personal Relationships (Sex Education) The programme of Education for Personal Relationships includes sex education and is delivered through the following subjects: R.E., P.S.H.E., Science, English and Drama. The school sees itself as supporting parents in their responsibility to educate their children about relationships and sexuality. The programme is sensitive to the age and maturity of the pupils and so issues covered in the early years are often dealt with at a deeper level during Key Stage 4. The programme is concerned to help pupils develop a genuine sense of their own worth and value as a human being. Throughout the programme the knowledge of sexual matters and the understanding of moral issues are always considered in relation to the family and teachings of the Catholic Church. Topics covered include: individuality, friendship, adolescence, human reproduction, moral choices, decision making and responsibility, family life, marriage, family planning and sexually transmitted diseases. Full details of when each of the above topics and the many other related issues are taught are available from the school and parents are encouraged to ask for details.