Many aspects of life in the 21st century are affected by religion. Therefore, a study of religion is both appropriate and essential to education.
The Religious Education Department plays a vital role in developing students’ understanding of the increasingly diverse and globalised world around us.
We aim to equip students with a sound knowledge and understanding of people’s values, beliefs and cultures as well as the most pressing and important ethical issues of our time.
Religious Education at Cambridge House Grammar School covers numerous issues concerning both religious and secular society.
Staff
Mr P Ross
Mr A Bleakley
Mrs L Nevin
Mrs P Rea
Curriculum
Religious Education is part of the curriculum for all pupils in Years 8-12. In Key Stage 3 pupils follow the Core Syllabus from the Department of Education. Their study is divided into 4 sections: The Revelation of God, The Christian Church, Morality and World Religions.
Overview of Year 8
- The Bible
- People and our Planet
- Abraham
- Jesus’s relationships
Overview of Year 9
- Moses
- The Easter Events
- Judaism
- Myself and others
Overview of Year 10
- Decision making and work
- Martin Luther King
- The Early Church
- Islam
In Key Stage 4, Religious Studies GCSE is available. GCE AS and A Level Religious Studies are available in the Sixth Form. The department currently uses the CCEA Examination Board for these external qualifications.
Religious Studies is a popular subject at AS and A level, even though there are only a few careers where it is essential. It is beneficial where pupils are applying for degrees which require no specific subjects, and feel it can lead to a good grade. Over the last few years, RS results in CHGS have been consistently above the Northern Ireland average. Additionally, the ability to present and argue a point of view, and the essay writing skills learned in RS prove invaluable when embarking on degree courses in all subjects.
Facilities & Resources
There are two classrooms used specifically for RE. Both are equipped with a data projector to facilitate optimum use of audio visual resources and teaching methods. As well as purchasing printed resources, we often produce in-house teaching materials tailored to our own requirements. Pupils doing external examinations use textbooks written specifically for the course they are studying.
Careers
Students of Religious Studies can go on to have careers in areas such as teaching, medicine, public service, advice work, counselling, journalism, ministry, social work, charity organisations, youth work and community work. Many of the courses leading to such careers will have a section which deals with the issues studied in A Level Religious Studies.