Religious Education

Subjects

Religious Studies


The human person’s ability to know and to love manifests our singularity. The Religious Studies Department at The Laurels School holds that an academic presentation of the teaching of the Catholic Church is a valuable tool for pupils of all faith backgrounds to better understand the intellectual moral and spiritual foundations of the classical Western civilization.


“May you seek Christ, may you find Christ, may you love Christ.”  St Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer


The curriculum seeks to help pupils learn what God has revealed of Himself, to know this revelation both through the use of their natural reason and through faith, and thereby to understand that faith and reason complement rather than contradict each other. The curriculum also fosters an appreciation of other faiths. Lessons in the department seek to foster a personal relationship in our pupils with Jesus Christ, and are supported by chaplaincy time and by participation in liturgical events in the school.


My Learning at The Laurels


Lessons in Religion will help you to explore some of the themes most important to each of us, and to develop a personal relationship with God and a consequent commitment to love and serve one’s neighbour in practical ways. You will learn about Christianity and other faiths and will be encouraged to respond personally to the themes presented.


Course Content


Years 7 to 9


At The Laurels we follow the guidance given in the Religious Education Curriculum Directory. The structure of Key Stage Three takes the form of a spiral entrance and deepening in the subject. This means that through the course of Years 7 to 9 the same topics are studied but in greater depth up the Key Stage. New material is introduced as the pupils progress from Year 7 to 9. Pupils start the Religious Studies AQA GCSE in Religious Studies Specification B during Year 9.


Year 7


  • History of the Church in Britain
  • What is belief? What are world views?
  • Eastern Religions
  • Mary and Prayer
  • Covenant


Year 8


  • The Bible
  • What is belief? What are world views?
  • The Paschal Mystery
  • Vocation
  • Sacraments linked to life


Year 9

  • Islam
  • Search for meaning
  • Morality and the Sanctity of life
  • RS GCSE: Judaism


Years 10 and 11


At KS4 Religious Studies is studied as a core GCSE. This option studies the AQA specification Religious Studies B (8063). This has been chosen for its comprehensive exposition of the Catholic Faith. Within this specification Judaism is studied and two Theme Components: Religion, relationships and families, and Religion, human rights and social justice.


Examination Board


  • AQA GCSE Religious Studies B (8063).


Clubs and Enrichment


Examples of visits to enhance the curriculum:


  • The Ismaili Centre; The Jewish Museum; The Central London Synagogue; National Gallery; Westminster Cathedral; St Albans and the Shrine of Our Lady in Willesden
  • Westminster Diocese Towards Advent Essay Competition
  • Competition entries to The Schools Bible Project run by Christian Projects
  • NATRE Spirited Arts Competition
  • Invited speakers to discuss various themes
  • Years 12 and 13
  • Please see the VIForm information pages
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