Religious Studies
Head of Religious Studies: Mrs J Newell (email)
The aims of the Religious Studies Department at Davenies is to develop pupils' knowledge, understanding, evaluation, skills and attitudes in this subject.
Religious Studies teaching offers opportunities to:
- help pupils to acquire and develop a knowledge and understanding of Christianity and the other six main world religions represented in Great Britain today
- help pupils to develop an understanding of the influence of beliefs, values and traditions on individuals, communities, societies and cultures
It should help pupils to evaluate by:
- developing their ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues, with reference to the teachings of the religions studied
Religious Studies should enhance pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural and social development by:
- developing awareness of the fundamental questions of life raised by human experiences, and of how religious teachings can relate to them
- responding to such questions with reference to the teachings and practices of religions, and to their own understanding and experiences
- reflecting their own beliefs, values and experiences in the light of their study
Religious Studies aims to develop the pupils' skills and attitudes and create:
- a sense of wonder and respect for the world
- confidence in their own sense of identity
- a respect for, and readiness to learn from, the aspirations of others
- a willingness to recognise the variety of responses including a respect for the practice and non-practice of religion
- a willingness to tolerate uncertainty and to acknowledge ambiguity and controversy
- a readiness to discuss religious issues openly and to accept a diversity of practice
- an understanding of the implications of commitment
There are also general aims as stated in the ISEB Common Entrance syllabus for Religious Studies. These are:
- to develop candidates spiritual awareness
- to help candidates seek ultimate meaning
- to encourage candidates to explore questions of morality and the values of contemporary society