Our vision is for students to explore their intrinsic curiosity regarding the functionality of society and deepening understanding of the human mind and behaviour.
The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
As Plato said ‘Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.’ This department expands students understanding of the world around them, in each individual student. Students can reflect, deepen or change opinion by learning the rationale behind others' thoughts.
All these life skills are important to every student’s future life that involves living and working with people.
Year 7 and Year 8: Follow an investigative curriculum which focuses on philosophy and learning ‘from’ religion. Topics include Medical Ethics, Big Philosophical questions, Being Human, Charity, Concepts of the Self and Animal Rights.
Year 9 and 10 Core Philosophy: A non-examined, skills based course using Philosophy for Children. Key skills encouraged are debate, evaluation, reflection of opinion and tolerance. This course has fluidity, is reactive to current affairs, but key topics include Theories of Punishment, Responsibilities of Citizenship and Political Opinion.
Year 9, 10 and 11 Option: Ethics: Religion Life and Society GCSE (Option)
A fully examined GCSE course which is as an option. Key components of the course include argument around the Existence of Evil and Suffering, Abortion, Euthanasia, Racism and Sexism in Society, Modern Family Life, Crime and Punishment, Peace and Conflict and Medical Ethics. Students are required to establish their own opinion, and evaluate their opinion alongside religious beliefs.
All students studying the GCSE Ethics: Religion and Life are provided with a revision guide for the course.
Rebecca Sinclair is the Head of Religious Studies/Sociology.
Karen Cooke is qualified with a BA Hons and a PGCE. She has a specific interest in PGCE mentoring.
Dylan Owen is qualified with a BA Hons and a PGCE. He is interested in adapting mindfulness and NLP techniques to remove barriers to education.
GCSE Option subject trips.
