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Religious Education

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Our Aims

Provide pupils with extensive opportunities to explore, question and appreciate their own faith, in order that they can develop spiritually.
Develop a knowledge and understanding of a variety of faith and belief systems in order that pupils can live and work in a culture of mutual respect and tolerance within our increasingly diverse community in school, city, and nation.
Show our commitment to the promotion of the spiritual and moral development of each student, in conjunction with the pursuit of academic excellence.
Create an environment where individuals are valued and their dignity respected. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that each young person’s view is valued. This development of respect for self, environment and others is a high priority in the teaching of religious education at Belfast Royal Academy.

Staff

Subject Leader

Mr P Martin

Senior Teacher

Mr P Dorman

Teacher

Mrs G Morris

Teacher

Mr P Rowntree

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

At Key Stage Three all pupils study Religious Studies for one period per week. During this time, pupils are introduced to a wide range of religious knowledge. Booklets provide the background while use of information and communication technology helps to encourage research skills. In Form 1 we study Judaism. Pupils learn about the bible, specific key characters including Moses and Abraham, and Judaism today. They also receive an introduction to the religion Sikhism. In Form 2 the pupils study the life of Jesus, focussing on his teachings, his relationships with others, miracles and his Death & Resurrection. Form 2 also study the religion of Hinduism, looking at the basic facts, fundamental beliefs and worship. In Form 3, students study the religion of Islam, looking at the beginnings of the faith, the 5 Pillars and food laws. From January onwards, Form 3 pupils begin their GCSE course; An introduction to Christian Ethics.
GCSE

For GCSE we continue to teach the CCEA Religious Studies specification for unit 6: An introduction to Christian Ethics. This course is a short course GCSE and is examined publicly at the end of Form 4. In Form 5, pupils will study the CCEA Religious Studies specification for unit 7; An introduction to Philosophy of Religion. This course is a short course GCSE and is examined publicly at the end of Form 5. Combined with the short course module completed in ‘Form 4, this will give a ‘full’ GCSE.
AS/A2

A-level builds on the knowledge and skills acquired at Key Stages Three and Four.

Pupils will study the following modules in their L6th and M6th years.

AS pupils study Unit AS 7 - Foundations of Ethics with Special Reference to Issues in Medical Ethics and Unit AS 8 - Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion.

For A2 level they study Unit A2 7 – Global Ethics and Unit A2 8 -Themes in the Philosophy of Religion.

Facilities & Resources

Pupils are taught by specialist teachers in subject-specific classrooms. There is a wide variety of resources available to the pupils and an extensive DVD/video library.

Additional Information

Visiting speakers and educational visits are an important part of the pupil experience in Religious Education. Form 1 pupils visit the Synagogue in Belfast; Form 3 pupils have a Drugs awareness and responsibility seminar facilitated by a visiting speaker.

In the Sixth Form there is the opportunity to visit Rome as a school trip, organised by the RE Department.

Get in touch

Our office is open 8:15am - 4:15pm Monday to Friday.

info@bfsra.belfast.ni.sch.uk