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The content of the Religious Education programme of study is guided by the new Religious Education Directory (2023 for Catholic Schools). 

Religious education is the core of the curriculum and is an academic subject with the same systematic demands and rigour as other subjects studied at NBS. Religious Education lessons are given 10% of curriculum time for Key Stage 3 and 4 and it is compulsory for students in 6th form to be taught CORE RE for 1 hour per week. Other aspects of our curriculum include Liturgy, Holy Days and retreats.

The curriculum in Religious Education is broad and balanced and students are challenged and encouraged to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the subject. The foundation of the subject is continually built upon as students progress through the Key Stages.

Key Stage 3

Students are taught in their mixed ability form groups and are formally assessed twice a term. Students are tested on the three main skills: knowledge, understanding and evaluation. 

In year 7-9  students study the following units, as outlined by the Religious Education Directory, each year they will build on their knowledge and understanding by adding another layer:

  1. Creation and Covenant – In this unit students are encouraged to explore the meaning and purpose of life as well as the role of God in creation and their lives today. Students will reflect on their role as stewards of creation, how they treat others and their impact in the world.
  2. Prophecy and Promise – In this unit students will study the Bible and its role and impact on the lives of Christians. As the Bible is the word of God students will understand that the study of scripture is central to the life and practice of the Catholic faith.
  3. Galilee to Jerusalem – In this unit, students will examine, who Jesus is, the titles given to him and how Christians come to know God through Jesus.
  4. Desert to Garden – In this unit, students broaden their knowledge and understanding of the ‘Paschal Mystery’. They learn about the Sacraments, including the importance of the Mass. Students will also reflect on the ways in which Jesus is present in the lives of Christians today.
  5. To the Ends of the Earth – In this unit, students learn about the important role and impact of the Holy Spirit in the world.
  6. Dialogue and Encounter – In this unit, students begin with a study of the history of the Church and some of the important ecumenical councils that were held. Following on from this, they will study a world religion.

Towards the end of Year 9 students will begin to study Judaism – beliefs and practices. This is in preparation for their RE GCSE.

Key Stage 4

GCSE Religious Education at NBS is a core GCSE subject, studied by all students.

This course provides opportunities to study:

  • Catholic Christianity through a specific focus on the teachings of the Church (50%)
  • Judaism: Beliefs and Practices (25%)
  • Ethical themes: Religion, peace and conflict and Religion, human rights and social justice (25%)
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The strong focus on Catholicism and in-depth study of another religion allows NBS to fulfil the demands of the new ‘Religious Education Directory’ (2023) issued by the Catholic Hierarchy of England and Wales and endorsed by the Diocese of Westminster.

The course content does not presuppose faith. It aims to strengthen an understanding and faith for those who do believe, and to enable others to appreciate different reasons for religious belief according to the practice of Catholicism.

Head of Department: Miss A Moloney

Syllabus: AQA 8063YA Specification B (9-1)

The course enables learners to:

  • Acquire knowledge and develop an understanding of the beliefs, values and traditions of Catholic Christianity
  • Consider the influence of these beliefs, values and traditions
  • Consider religious and other responses to moral issues
  • Identify, investigate and respond to fundamental questions of life raised by religion and human experience, including questions about the meaning and purpose of life
  • Challenge pupils to reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learned
  • Understand the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies
  • Apply knowledge and understanding in order to analyse questions related to religious beliefs and practice

*The strong focus on Catholicism and in-depth study of another religion allows St Edmund’s College to fulfil the demands of the ‘Religious Education Directory’ (2023) issued by the Catholic Hierarchy of England and Wales and endorsed by the Diocese of Westminster.

Course structure

Paper 1: Catholic Christianity - 1hr 45 mins (50%)

Paper 2: Judaism - 50 mins (25%)

Paper 3: Ethical themes A & C - 50 mins (25%)

Key Stage 5

A-Level Religious Studies

A Level Religious Studies allows students to explore fascinating issues and ideas, and enjoy debating a range of ethical dilemmas.

In Sixth Form, you can expect classes to involve plenty of discussion and debate. As you develop a deeper knowledge of religion, philosophy and ethics you’ll have opportunities to share your ideas and to consider the views of others.

This A Level also develops valuable transferable skills, including research, essay-writing, critical evaluation and analysis, and constructing a persuasive argument.

Syllabus: Edexcel

Course structure

A Level Theology at NBS covers the following three areas of study:

  • Philosophy of religion
  • Religion and ethics
  • New Testament Studies

Areas of study

Philosophy

  • Religious language uses and purpose
  • The verification and falsification principles
  • The uses of symbol, analogy and myth to express human understanding of God
  • Religious experience
  • The concept of revelation
  • The attributes and nature of God
  • Life after death – the soul: death, resurrection and reincarnation
  • The views of various philosophers and theologians including St. Thomas Aquinas, Plato, Aristotle, J Hume, A J Ayer, A Flew, L Wittgenstein and P Tillich

Ethics

  • Meta-ethics – use of ethical language and how different scholars understand how words like good, bad, right and wrong are used in ethical statements
  • Virtue ethics – the concepts of the Eudaimonia and the Golden Mean
  • Applied ethics and ethical theories:
    • Natural law
    • Kantian ethics
    • Utilitarianism
    • Religious ethics
    • Environmental ethics – the Gaia Hypothesis
    • Gender and equality – rights
    • Sexual ethics – premarital, extramarital sex, contraception, homosexuality
    • The sanctity of life: abortion and euthanasia
    • The views of various philosophers and theologians including St. Thomas Aquinas. P Singer, P Vardy, J Fletcher, J S Mill, J Bentham

New Testament Studies

  • Introduction to the New Testament
  • The nature and authority of the Four Gospels
  • The Synoptic Gospels and the Prologue of John
  • Social, historical and religious context of the New Testament
  • Ways of interpreting the Scripture
  • Interpreting the text and issues of relationship, purpose and authorship
  • Exploring the Kingdom of God, conflict, the death and resurrection of Jesus
  • Scientific and historical-critical challenges, ethical living and the works of various scholars including Morison, Wilson, Barth and Bultmann.

Assessment

Over two years, three topics will be studied.

Assesment takes place at the end of Year 13 in three 2-hour written assessments.

  • Paper 1 – 33.33% Philosophy of Religion
  • Paper 2 – 33.33% Religion and Ethics
  • Paper 3 – 33.33% New Testament Studies

Sixth Form Core RE

Core RE at NBS helps to make a significant contribution to our students' personal development. It also plays a key role in promoting social cohesion and makes specific reference to the Catholic Social Teachings, which are imperative in our diverse community. 


This is a two-year course covering religious, philosophical and moral concepts.  They are taught on a half termly carousal and students study a variety of various topics where there is much discussion and debate. There is great opportunity for them to do their own personal research tasks and then present power-point presentations to the whole class based on issues surrounding the problem of evil and suffering, relationships and world religions.