Head of Religious Studies/Director of Personal Development: Miss J Kirkpatrick

Teacher of RS: Mr R Nicholls

Teacher of RS - Mr A Ali

RS at HGSS is a successful subject area with lessons being delivered to pupils once a week for years 7-8 and twice for years 9-11 for the GCSE.  The focus is upon a multi-faith approach which involve studying the six major religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism.  At HGSS we provoke challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, issues of morality, different beliefs about God and what it means to be human to name but a few.  The aims of the RS department allow students to:

• Describe and explain your own belief system using a range of religious language
• Analyse different challenges religions face in the UK
• Identify questions and define enquiries, using a range of methods, media and sources
• Carry out and develop enquiries by gathering, comparing, interpreting, analysing and synthesizing a range of information, ideas and viewpoints
• Use empathy, critical thought and reflection to evaluate learning and applying it to their own and others' lives
• Explore philosophical and ethical questions and your own personal responses to them
• Develop skills that will support other literacy subjects such as English.

RS lessons encourage pupils develop their own sense of identity and belonging. It enables them to succeed individually within their communities and as citizens in a diverse and multicultural society.  RS at HGSS has an important role in preparing pupils for adult life, employment and lifelong learning, respecting others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.

Pupils study the following topics:

Year 7 studies Becoming an RS Expert, Judaism and Hinduism

Year 8 studies Islam, Equal Rights and Buddhism

Year 9 starts the AQA GCSE course and studies Christian Beliefs, Christian Practices, Religion and Science

Year 10 studies Jewish Beliefs, Jewish Practices, Religion and Relationships

Year 11 studies Religion and War and Religion and Crime