Intent
St Peter is ‘the rock’ upon which our faith is built. Accordingly, RE is the “core of the core curriculum” (Pope St John Paul II) at St Peter’s Roman Catholic High School. We teach pupils about religion so they can understand the key relationship between faith, modern culture, human knowledge, and society.
Religion has shaped everyday life, politics, science, art, law and international relations, and it continues to do so, either directly or through its absence. Pupils will develop a clear understanding of their own and other religions, supporting their social, moral, spiritual and cultural development. They will grow in self-knowledge and understand how the world is intertwined with faith, enabling them to live their Catholic vocation and make a positive impact on the challenging society in which they will mature.
Introduction
In the faith life of a Catholic school, Religious Education plays a central and vital part. However, this does not replace the role of parents, who are the first and most important educators of their children in the Catholic faith. Parents bring their children for Baptism in the Catholic faith and act as role models, encouraging them to grow in the knowledge and practice of their religion.
We seek to partner with families and ensure that pupils see the beliefs and values taught in RE being lived out in the home and family. To this end, we see parental support for all RE and spiritual enrichment as vital to the Catholic ethos of the school.
RE, as well as being a robust academic subject, provides a core foundation for understanding and living our faith. Reflecting this ‘lived faith’, the department provides unique visits, trips and initiatives to celebrate the liturgical year. We hope these occasions strengthen our pupils' faith.
The RE course aims to facilitate pupils on their faith journey by providing an environment that encourages the development of their Catholic faith, a deeper understanding of Catholic teaching and an appreciation of other religions in our multi-faith society. It seeks to help pupils keep the teachings and values of Catholic Social Teaching close to their hearts, allowing these principles to guide the way they treat others and respond to the needs of the world around them. Understanding and respecting other faiths is central to living as a Christian citizen in our diverse global community, while remaining rooted in the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. Pupils also need to understand how the Catholic faith influences the way people live their lives, make choices and respond to moral and social issues.
Our RE Department
The Archdiocese of Liverpool’s Christian Education Department inspected the school and department at the end of 2019, and the school’s provision for Catholic Education was again judged Outstanding.
Pupils have RE for three 50-minute lessons each week, which is 10% of their timetable.
RE is taught in its own purpose-built suite of five classrooms, with the RE office and storeroom on the same landing.
RE is taught by five specialist RE teachers committed to providing high-quality Religious Education and supporting the spiritual development of every pupil.
Mr G Bowden
Head of Department
Mrs K Middleton
Head of Department
Professional Mentor ECF
Mr M Crompton
Mr S Glymond-Magill
Mrs L Town
Mrs K Houghton
School Lay Chaplain
The KS3 RE curriculum is determined by the Bishops of England and Wales, as presented in the Religious Education Directory. This was revised extensively in 2023 and is now fully implemented across KS3.
Our new RE curriculum at KS3 seeks to make Religious Education more coherent, progressive, academically rigorous and relevant to young people's lives. In a Catholic secondary school, its purpose is not only to help pupils develop their knowledge of Catholic Christianity, but also to enable them to think theologically, engage ethically, understand different worldviews and consider how faith can shape the way they live. It therefore contributes to both pupils’ academic development and the distinctive Catholic mission of our school.
Key Stage 3 Curriculum Map
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Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
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Year 7 |
What does it mean to belong? Who was St Peter? Creation and covenant This unit will explore the importance of the creation accounts in Genesis and how Christians can use the messages in the accounts to improve the world. |
Prophecy and promise This unit explores the importance of scripture in the Catholic faith and it’s influence on how we live our lives today. |
Galilee to Jerusalem The unit will explore the key question of who Jesus was. It will consider the titles of Jesus and how they link to the core Catholic beliefs. |
Desert to garden This unit will explore the events of holy week and how the events of Passover foreshadow the final meal and sacrifice of Jesus. |
To the ends of the earth This unit will explore the work of the Apostles and the role of the Holy Spirit in Luke’s Gospel and Acts of the Apostle |
Dialogue and encounter This unit will explore the importance of understanding other people and their beliefs. Focus of study: Hinduism |
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Year 8 |
Creation and covenant This unit will explore one of life’s biggest questions- why have sin and suffering in the world. |
Prophecy and promise This unit explore the importance of the Prophets and how they still inspire people to speak God’s word. |
Galilee to Jerusalem This unit will explore Jesus’ teachings. |
Desert to garden This unit will explore suffering. Exploring the importance of Jesus’ suffering is a key aspect of this topic. |
To the ends of the earth This unit will explore the importance of Jesus’ resurrection and the importance of this for Catholics today.
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Dialogue and encounter This unit will explore the importance of understanding other people and their beliefs. Focus of study: Islam |
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Year 9 |
Creation and covenant This unit will explore the dignity of the human person, one of the principles of Catholic Social teachings, but also the foundational teachings. We revisit the creation account from year 7, with a focus on a more difficult concept of human dignity. |
Prophecy and promise This unit follows on from the last unit in terms of equality. We will now look at the role of women have played in salvation. |
Galilee to Jerusalem Throughout key stage three pupils have slowly bult up their understanding of key themes. This topic will them make the connections between discipleship and vocation . |
Desert to garden Th main focus of this unit is the question of how's Christ's death is redemptive. It builds on the previous unit by considering the connection between ordained Priesthood and Christ as the High Priest of salvation. |
To the ends of the earth This unit pupils will use all their knowledge from the first unit to help them to connect their understanding of the states of the Church.
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Ethics: Religious teachings on relationships and families in the twenty first century Marriage, sexual relationships, Families, Support for family, Contraception, Divorce and re-marriage, Equality in family, Gender prejudice. |
At KS4, pupils follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies Specification A and study three papers. The course focuses on Catholic Christianity, including beliefs, teachings, practices, sources of wisdom, and expressions of faith, as well as the study of Jewish beliefs, teachings, and practices. In addition, pupils study arguments for the existence of God in marriage and relationships in the twenty-first century.
Religious Education is essential for living effectively and faithfully in our modern world. We hope that, through studying these topics, our pupils will realise the relevance and importance of RE lessons, which aim to equip them to understand and evaluate life and faith in contemporary society.
Pupils are expected to complete formative assessments regularly and end-of-module tests at the end of each unit of work, along with a mock examination at the end of Year 10 and two mock examinations in Year 11. The course culminates in three examinations at the end of Year 11.
Pupils are taught mixed ability-based groups and encouraged to reach their full potential. This examination course, whilst allowing pupils to enhance their academic achievement, also focuses on the knowledge, understanding, and evaluation skills essential for our pupils to grow spiritually and develop their faith for their future lives.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum Map
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Autumn 1 |
Autumn 2 |
Spring 1 |
Spring 2 |
Summer 1 |
Summer 2 |
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Year 10 |
Judaism Beliefs and teachings The Almighty, The Shekinah, The Messiah, The covenant with Abraham, The Covenant with Sinai, Sanctity of Life, Moral Principles and the Mitzvot, Jewish beliefs about Life after death. |
Judaism: Practices Public Acts of Worship, The Tenakh and Talmud, Prayer, Shema and Amidah, Ritual and ceremony, Shabbat, Festival, synagogue. |
Catholic Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings Trinity, Biblical Trinity, Creation, Creation and humanity, The Incarnation, Paschal Mystery, Salvation and Grace, Eschatology |
Catholic Christianity: Practices Sacramental nature of reality, Catholic Liturgy, Funeral Rite, Prayer, Popular Piety, Pilgrimage, Catholic Social teaching , Mission. |
Catholic Christianity: Sources of Wisdom and Authority
The Bible, Interpretations of the Bible, Magisterium, Vatican II, Body of Christ, For Marks, Mary as role model, Sources of personal and ethical decision making |
Catholic Christianity: Forms of Expression Architecture of church, Internal features, Sacred objects, paintings, statues and sculptures, art and imagery, mystery plays, Music |
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Year 11 |
Catholic Christianity: Practices Sacramental nature of reality, Catholic Liturgy, Funeral Rite, Prayer, Popular Piety, Pilgrimage, Catholic Social teaching , Mission. |
Catholic Christianity: Sources of Wisdom and Authority The Bible, Interpretations of the Bible, Magisterium, Vatican II, Body of Christ, For Marks, Mary as role model, Sources of personal and ethical decision making
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Catholic Christianity: Forms of Expression Architecture of church, Internal features, Sacred objects, paintings, statues and sculptures, art and imagery, mystery plays, Music |
Philosophy: Arguments for the existence of God Revelation, Visions, Miracles, Religious Experiences, Design, Cosmological Problem of Evil, Solutions |
REVISION |
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The exam board is EDEXCEL
The course will consist of:
- Paper 1 (1 X 1hr 45 minute exam) 50% of final GCSE grade.
- Paper 2 (1x 50 minute exam) 25% of final GCSE grade
- Paper 3 1x 50 minute exam) 25% of final GCSE grade
The current (9-1) specification covers the following topics at GCSE level:
- Catholic Beliefs and teachings
- Catholic Practices
- Catholic Sources of Wisdom and authority
- Catholic Forms of expression and Ways of Life
- Judaism: Beliefs and teachings
- Judaism: Practices
- Catholic Christianity: Existence of God
- Catholic Christianity: Relationships and Families in the 21st Century
Specifications
Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies A (2016) | Pearson Qualifications
Revision websites or in-school resources
- Edexcel Hodder: Faith and Practice in the 21st Century Victor W. Watton Revision Guide January 2018 publication
- GCSE Catholic Christianity ‘Kerboodle’ Oxford textbook digital online version.
- Scopay – RE revision guide
- ReviseNOW!
Where does it lead
- Pupils who study RE can progress to careers in teaching, law, charity work, administration, social work, and theology
- R.E. asks you to consider the ‘Big questions’ in life. Employers like mature people.
- Pupils will learn and use skills that will serve them well in life and make them attractive to Further Education providers and employers. These are memorising information/concepts, empathising, analysing, interpreting, evaluating, appraising, clearly expressing, describing, explaining and gathering/selecting relevant material.
- A good grade in the RE GCSE shows further education providers and employers that pupils have been sensitive to and committed to the catholic ethos of the school.
What our students and parents say
The following is from the 2017 departmental review parental opinion section.
- Their children enjoy their RE lessons; they are fun, not boring.
- Their children are valued by the RE staff.
- RE staff foster an open, safe environment that encourages discussion and the sharing of opinions.
- RE for their children is about engaging in real-life issues that they can evaluate against their faith and the teaching of the Catholic Church, not just about praying.
- RE lessons make their children think and question; philosophical debates take place in lessons and continue at home.
RE enrichment is an important part of our pupils’ learning, helping them to develop curiosity, understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs and worldviews. Through retreats, prayer, worship, visits, discussions and wider experiences, pupils are encouraged to think critically, ask thoughtful questions and appreciate the diverse world around them. These opportunities bring RE to life and help pupils develop the knowledge, empathy and open-mindedness needed to become respectful and responsible members of society. RE Enrichment Activities Throughout the year, pupils have the opportunity to take part in a range of enrichment activities, including:
- Year 7 Retreat Day
- Confirmation Preparation
- Lent Prayer Stations
- Reconciliation
- Year 11 Intervention at St Joseph’s Catholic Church
- RE Media Club
- SVP Group
- Chaplaincy Group
- Catholic Young Writers Award