Religion and Philosophy
Through the study of Religion and Philosophy, pupils are challenged to engage with diverse beliefs and perspectives. They will seek to understand the views of others, even when they disagree. They will learn to reflect on their own ideas and assumptions, as they identify the beliefs and values that they will live by.
In Lower School, pupils will encounter the diversity of religious beliefs from around the world. They will learn about the contrasting perspectives of western religions, such as Christianity, and eastern religions, such as Hinduism or Buddhism. They will also see where these different religions share common ground. Interwoven with the study of religions, they will investigate big theological and philosophical questions such as:
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Does it matter which god someone worships?
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Is there good reason to believe in life after death?
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How can we find peace and happiness?
At GCSE, pupils will delve deeper into the religions of Christianity and Islam, which between them account for a growing majority of the world’s population. They will study the variety of beliefs and practice within each of these religions, and the theological debates that drive them. Alongside the study of religions, one half of the GCSE course is dedicated to contemporary philosophical and ethical issues. These include questions such as:
- Is it ever right to go to war?
- Is it wrong to be rich when others are poor?
- How can we help criminals change their lives?
- Why is abortion so controversial?
- What are our responsibilities to care for the environment we all share?
For A Level, the course is divided into three equal parts of Christianity, Philosophy, and Ethics. There is a strong focus on reasoning and evaluation skills, as students grapple with questions that defy simple answers. They will learn how to structure their arguments effectively and how to engage with points of view which they do not share. Issues debated include:
- Are we all naturally selfish?
- Are some things always wrong, or does it depend on the situation?
- Should the UK have nuclear weapons?
- What can we know about the historical Jesus?
- Does science prove religion is wrong?
- Do we have free will, or do our genes control our behaviour?
