INTENT

To invite all pupils to encounter Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as the living person at the heart of their study in a way that respects their individual religious identity. As well as seeking to assist parents with the education and religious formation of their children.

To provide a religious education which creates “religiously literate and consciously engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding, and skills – appropriate to their age and capacity – to reflect spiritually, and think ethically and theologically, and who recognise the demands of religious commitment in everyday life” (To know you more clearly)

We aim to follow Pope Leo XIV and his call for Catholic schools to be a beacon: “... Catholic education can be a beacon: not a nostalgic refuge but a laboratory of discernment, pedagogical innovation, and prophetic witness.”

Religious Education is at the core of the curriculum in St Anthony’s.  We are committed to supporting students at whatever stage they might be on their faith journey and we strive to help students achieve their full potential as human beings.

We believe it is essential that all students should have an appreciation of the religious and spiritual dimension of life. We aim to encourage awareness and appreciation of the pupils’ own worth and that of others and also to respect the rights of other people who have beliefs which are different to their own. As a Catholic community rooted in the Mercy tradition, it is our duty to not only deepen the knowledge and understanding of Catholic and other religious traditions, but also to enable young people to explore their own story, experiences, personal beliefs and that of others whatever their faith background. More specifically, we do this through studying sacraments, festivals and traditions. To support the development of their religious literacy our students also compare and contrast this knowledge with that of Judaism, other Christian’s denominations and Humanism. When moving into Sixth Form, students study ethical theory, philosophical concepts and the impact of Christianity on modern society.

Our aim is to develop learners who are able to:

  • develop their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith;
  • continually deepen their religious and theological understanding and be able to communicate this effectively;
  • develop their knowledge and awareness of the faith and traditions of other religious communities in order to respect and understand them.
  • engage with the rich diversity in Britain.
  • support the spiritual, moral, cultural and social skills of other students.
  • appreciate and engage with diversity of opinion in world views.
  • challenge worldviews which promote racism, ignorance and religious hatred.
  • challenge the concept of moral relativism and offer students alternative approaches to moral decision making.
  • develop a sense of collective responsibility for our earth’s resources.
  • stimulate students’ imagination and provoke a desire for personal meaning as revealed in the truth of the Catholic faith;
  • live out the schools Mercy ethos and to support the Church’s teaching on the preferential option for the poor;
  • lead society towards the common good.

“I have come” Christ said, “that you may have life and have it abundantly”. (John 10:10)

“We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us”. (Catherine McAuley)

Progression Map

Religious Education – Key Stage 3 to KS5 

Curriculum Plans

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G.C.S.E Course Information

Exam board: Eduqas – route B

Exam papers:

  • Paper 1 - Foundational Catholic Theology (37.5%)
    • Origins and Meaning
    • Good and Evil
  • Paper 2 – Applied Catholic Theology (37.5%)
    • Life after Death
    • Sin and Forgiveness
  • Paper 3 – Judaism (25%)
    • Beliefs and Teachings
    • Practices

Wider Reading Suggestion

Please see below our recommend Religious Education wider reading list

Year 7

  • Core textbook: Source to Summit Year 7
  • Independent reading: YouCat (Youth Catechism) (selected chapters)
  • Enrichment: ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ by C.S Lewis
  • Focus topic: “How is God revealed?” / “How does the Bible reveal God?”

Year 8

  • Core textbook: Source to Summit Year 8
  • Independent reading: ‘Give: Charity and the Art of Living Generously’ by Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow
  • Enrichment: ‘The Religions Book: Big ideas simply explained’
  • Focus topic: e.g., “Why is there sin in the world?” / “What is the role of suffering?”

Year 9

  • Core textbook: Source to Summit Year 9
  • Independent reading: Judaism (KS3 Knowing Religion)
  • Enrichment: a modern Catholic biography, e.g. The Amazing Story of Carlo Acutis: The First Millennial Saint Who Documented Eucharistic Miracles, and Became God’s Influencer
  • Focus topic: “What is discipleship and vocation?” / “Why did Jesus’ sacrifice bring a new covenant?”

Year 10

  • Core revision guide: Route B: Catholic Christianity with Judaism by Laura Skinner-Howe, Rebecca Jinks and Ann-Marie Bridle
  • Independent reading: YouCat (Youth Catechism), ‘The Religions Book: Big ideas simply explained’
  • Enrichment: ‘The Shack’ by W.M  Paul Young; ‘a short history of nearly everything’ by Bill Bryson; ‘Catholic Social Teaching: An Introduction for Schools, Parishes & Charities’ by Raymond Friel; ‘Mere Christianity’ by C.S Lewis.
  • Focus topics: ‘Where have we come from?” / “Does suffering prove there is no God?”

Year 11

  • Core revision guide: Route B: Catholic Christianity with Judaism by Laura Skinner-Howe, Rebecca Jinks and Ann-Marie Bridle
  • Independent reading: YouCat (Youth Catechism), ‘The Religions Book: Big ideas simply explained’
  • Enrichment: ‘Where the hell is God?’ by Richard Leonard SJ; ‘Love Is His Meaning: Understanding The Teaching Of Jesus’ by Professor Keith Ward; ‘the case for faith’ by Lee Strobel

Digital & Online Support

A-Level Course Information

Please see out Sixth form website for more information about the A-Level course details 

https://aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/philosophy-and-theology

IMPACT

We know from all those who internally, and externally, review the work of our school that our pupils/students are cheerful, creative, conscientious and confident.  Employers regularly tell us that our pupils/students are professional and act with honesty and integrity.  Our school has been very successful with numerous external accreditations, for the community and the individuals within it, over many decades.  Our staff and pupil/students very much feel part of our Mercy community.

Our RE curriculum helps our pupils/students to develop the detailed knowledge and skills required to progress to the next stage of education, employment or training.  Our teaching and learning programmes support our pupils/students to know, understand and remember more theological knowledge and to achieve subject fluency, enabling them to grow and develop as RE students.  Our lessons support the development of a deep knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith and its core teachings, and help to ensure that our students are capable of living the fullness of a Christian life. RE at St. Anthony’s allows students to develop skills of evaluation, critical thinking and analysis, whilst also developing the skills required for students to successfully live in a multi-faith society. Staff in the RE department support subject specific literacy and numeracy for all our pupils/students to help them succeed in their studies and they aim to holistically develop the gifts and talents of each individual within a caring, compassionate, charitable and challenging Christian environment.

Our impactful RE curriculum develops students with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding to have a positive impact within family, friendship groups, school/college, university, the workplace and the wider community.  Our wide-ranging and broad-based curriculum offer, and varied extended curricular opportunities, within RE provide an opportunity for everyone.

We know that our students are reliable, responsible, resilient and radical individuals who are ready to use their talents positively wherever life may take them. Generations of pupils/students have chosen St. Anthony’s over the decades and centuries.  We are extremely proud of our alumni, many of whom are regular contributors to our school community as it continues to grow and develop.  Many families have fourth or fifth generation connection to our school and many staff have given decades of service, such is the impact of being part of this school community.

Everyone in our community is aware of what it means to be an Antonian: to pursue excellence, to build community, to show concern for those who may be disadvantaged and to particularly support the education of women and girls. We have definitely had an impact within this “city by the sea”, and well beyond it, since we were founded in 1904.  We are confident that our distinctive ethos will continue to have a big impact as it is carried forward by future generations of Antonians.