Religious Education at Forest Gate is committed to developing, pursuing and enhancing the status and image of the subject as one that is vibrant, relevant and successful.
At Forest Gate the prime focus of Religious Education is to promote understanding and respect for others through the study of comparative religions and secular concepts within an atmosphere of impartiality and respect.
Within this framework there is an emphasis to encourage and stimulate students spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Alongside these aims, the subject promotes and prepares students for the responsibilities and opportunities of adult life and the wider society.
The subject is also harnessed as an important source for the development of communicative and written skills by means of individual and group, interaction. Wider profound questions about our place and purpose in life are designed to help the student comprehend their own views about existence and life-styles.
The ethos for study is based around an integrated multi-faith thematic system of modular units which form the basis for progression and revision at and throughout K/S 3 and beyond to GCSE level, where many areas are revisited.
Drawing on the Newham Agreed Syllabus students consider both secular and religious perspectives of the nature of belief and practice as a vital part of the human experience. This is reflected through central themes as represented by Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Where appropriate Buddhism and Judaism are also taught.
Initially, at K/S 3 students will be introduced to units of study comprising of, at Year 7, a study of what religion is, symbols, buildings, objects, worship and creation.
At Year 8, students will look at founders, rules, festivals, books, special people and communities.
At Year 9 the topic is a journey, commencing with pilgrimage followed by a study of birth, coming of age, marriage and death. In preparation for Year 10, the final unit looks at Christian denominations.
At Year 10 & 11 (K/S 4), students take the WJEC syllabus short course or the OCR full option course. All students study Christianity and one other religion of their choice from Hinduism, Islam or Sikhism. Many strands of study from both syllabuses incorporate themes previously studied from K/S 3.
Religious studies is recognised as an academic subject that can be studied further at A level and degree level. It is linked with other disciplines such as law, history, philosophy, sociology, politics and psychology. The subject has merit in vocational occupations such as journalism, local government, law, social work, the health service, teaching, charity work, religious communities and business and enterprise.
www.reonline.org.uk
www.wjec.co.uk
www.ocr.org.uk
