Religion, Philosophy and Ethics at RMGS

Head of Subject: Mrs N Walker
Department Members: Mr Hardwick, Mrs Jinks, Mrs Stubbs, Ms Legon

The Aims of Religious Education at RMGS as stated in the Medway Agreed Syllabus:

Religious Education develops pupils knowledge and understanding of religions, enables them to make reasoned and informed judgements about spiritual, religious and moral issues and offers pupils opportunities to consider ways in which religious insights, values and traditions might enrich their lives.

It provides the opportunity to explore issues of meaning and purpose in seeking to develop tolerant and respectful citizens in a culturally diverse society.
Religious Education seeks to make a major contribution to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils by helping them to:

acquire a knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other principal religions represented in Great Britain

appreciate the diversity of religious belief and practice and respect the rights of others to hold beliefs different from their own

understand the continuing influence and importance of religious beliefs, values and traditions on individuals, communities and cultures and particularly the cultural context of Great Britain thus preparing them better for adult life as citizens in a plural society

develop an understanding of ultimate questions and of religious and nonreligious responses to them

evaluate different responses to religious and moral issues and to form their own reasoned and informed judgements about these issues

respond both intellectually and through reflection to what they learn, in such a way that it promotes their spiritual and moral development and clarifies their own beliefs and values

develop skills of enquiry, analysis, response, reflection, interpretation, evaluation and application

RE at RMGS is a thriving subject well represented at all levels. As well as having popular courses in the lower school, we currently have four groups studying RS in Key Stage 4 and 5 groups studying A level Religious Studies in the sixth form.

Visits are an integral part of the course. In Year 8 the students visit the Bhaktivedanta Manor as part of their Hinduism course. In year 10 as part of the GCSE students visit the Regents Park Mosque, the Tate Modern, and Southwark Cathedral. In year 11 as part of the Truth and Spirituality Paper students visit Aylesford Priory. In the sixth form students have visited London to see the play On Religion by Professor A.C. Grayling. We hope to view his next play.