Religious Education

Religious Education forms part of the core curriculum in St Louis. All aspects of school life are underpinned by the teaching of Christ and the Religious Studies Programme of study reflects this.

Faith Development

The academic and catechetical programme of Religious Education in St Louis incorporates a vast array of opportunities for students to develop their spiritual and moral selves. Faith Development involves supporting students in the process of recognising, articulating and reflecting on the experience of God in their lives. There are numerous opportunities for such Faith Development in St Louis through charitable acts such as the annual shoe box appeal, school trips to Lourdes and Romania, Catholics Caring, St Vincent de Paul Hampers to name a few. There are also retreats organised for the pupils as well as class Masses. Our Chaplain plays a key role in the faith formation of St Louis pupils through his work in the school. Liturgical events throughout the school year play a key part in Faith Development. Annual celebrations include, end of year Masses (Yr 12/14), Ash Wednesday Services, Lenten Reflections and Masses, Easter Liturgies, Staff Prayer Services, start of term school Masses, November remembrance services, a whole school Penitential Service, Advent masses and Christmas Liturgies.

Religious Education at KS3

Key Stage 3 students follow the our own bespoke units of work especially commissioned to suit the needs of the Revised Curriculum and in tandem with Diocesan guidelines. All feasts and festivals throughout the liturgical year are celebrated and bespoke lessons are created to mark each festival.

GCSE Religious Studies

All students at Key Stage 4 follow the CCEA specification. Units of study include:

• Unit 2a: The Christian Church with a focus on the Catholic Church
• Unit 6: An introduction to Christian Ethics

Each unit accounts for 50% of the total Full Course marks.

Candidates take TWO written papers – 1 hr 30 minutes each

AS/A2 Religious Studies

Why choose Religious Studies to this level?
Religion plays an important role in our society and can influence what people think, feel, and believe. Through studying Religious Studies, students get a broad look at how religion and spirituality form the basis of our culture.
Religious Studies also helps students develop marketable skills and aptitudes including:

• analytical and strategic thinking;
• research skills;
• critical evaluation;
• the ability to work with abstract, conceptual ideas;
• an ability to 'understand both sides' and negotiate and resolve conflict;
• problem-solving skills;
• leadership skills;
• understanding of the impact of conflicting ideologies; and
• an appreciation of human diversity, belief systems, cultural and spiritual experiences.

These skills are particularly useful for future careers in law, education, social work, politics, medicine, administration or the media.

Course Content:
At St Louis we study CCEA AS/A2 Religious Studies.
The units of study are:

• AS/2 2: An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles/Themes in Selected Letters of St Paul
• AS/2 5: The Celtic Church in Ireland in Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Centuries/ Themes in the Celtic Church, Reformation and Post Reformation Church.
  
  There is no coursework component in this subject at this level.
  
  This course appeals to students who:

• enjoy stimulating and lively discussion;
• enjoy finding out answers, not just being told them;
• want to develop an enquiring mind; and/or
• want to research and develop independent learning