Howells School

“If we are to respect others’ religions as we would have them respect our own, a friendly study of the world’s religion is a sacred duty” Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Philosopher and Leader.

Religious Education is concerned with informing students about cultures and beliefs associated with other societies and which are increasingly coming into contact with our own. In the course of our studies we encourage students to explore, evaluate and debate a range of spiritual, moral and philosophical issues. 

Since these are the issues that have concentrated the best minds from all cultures down the ages, it is hardly surprising then that modern Religious Education is an academically challenging subject. Whilst teacher led there is a great deal of opportunity for student participation and discussions are always thought provoking and engaging and can be surprisingly wide ranging and energetic.

Students build up a basic knowledge of the beliefs and practices of the major religions of the world. They consider moral and ethical questions of contemporary concern in the context of these religions. In the process they improve their understanding of other peoples and their history; they develop empathy and the ability, together with the vocabulary, to express thoughts and emotions; they develop skills associated with debate, developing contrary arguments and thought processes, tolerance and appreciation of a different perspective.

All students study RE to year 10, sitting a short course GCSE exam at the end of the year. This is equivalent to a half GCSE. It is not unusual for all students to achieve either A* or A grades and many take up a second year's study to convert this to a full GCSE.

The GCSE is accessible to all; our department makes no assumption of commitment and there is no indoctrination. Our aim is to inform and give students an understanding of the nature of faith in general. Each individual is then better placed to accept, reject, or defer their decision with regard to their own evolving belief system.