Religious Education

1 – Faculty Information

The RE faculty consists of four specialist teachers: Miss R Connolly (Director of Faculty), Mrs A McGarr (Assistant Director of Faculty), Mr J Keane, Mrs C Friend (who has a TLR responsibility for specialist schools) and Mrs C Neves.  Miss Connolly, Mrs McGarr and Mr Keane are full time teachers.  Mrs Friend and Mrs Neves job share.  In addition to this we have a HLTA (Mrs A Peters) who is attached to the department full time.  Her role is to support pupils in RE lessons, assist the Director of Faculty with administrative tasks and support the whole department with producing resources.  She also teaches two small Year 10 classes.

We have two main aims as a faculty: the first being to support and guide pupils on their spiritual and faith journey and the second to develop in them an understanding and appreciation of Religious Education as an academic subject focusing particularly on Christianity whilst referring to and developing a respect for the faith and beliefs of others.We have four RE classrooms (each with an interactive whiteboard), an office and a Chapel.  The department is situated at the heart of the school which reflects it position as a core subject at the heart of St James’.  We also enjoy the advantages and priviliges of having specialist subject status along with English and Citizenship.

During Key Stage 3, pupils have six lessons of RE a fortnight (except for Year 9 where they have five) and are set homework once a week.  Their work is assessed every 3 weeks with an assessment once a term.  At Key Stage 4, pupils also have 6 lessons and are set one homework a week.  They are assessed at the end of every module and take 50% of their GCSE in Year 10 and 50% in Year 11.

2- Extra-curricular

Liturgy is an integral part of life at St James’.  Morning Prayer is celebrated every week in the Chapel and is well attended by pupils and staff.  This is led on a rota basis.  During Lent and Advent, each class has their own service in the Chapel which is led by their RE teacher.  Masses at school involve pupils from all year groups and contain drama, dance, music, poetry and power point.  

We also work hard to raise money for charity. We support charities such as CAFOD and St Ann's Hospice

Key Stage 3 – Curriculum

At Key Stage 3, we follow the Shrewsbury diocesan scheme of work.  Topics are as follows:

Year 7

Year 9

Pupils then start the GCSE course and study Edexcel units 3 and 8 (see Year 10 and Year 11)

Year 10 and Year 11

Unit 3

• Unit 8