Religion Department Page

Teachers in Department

Mrs M. Buckley (Department Head),

Miss S. Martin,

Mrs A. Turley,

Miss A Hartley,

Mrs S Devlin,

Mrs B Delargy.

School Chaplin: Rev Fr F O’Brien

Department Aims

The Religious Education department plays an integral part in the promotion of the school’s Christian ethos; it seeks to:

• compliment the Pastoral and PHSE provision within the school in nurturing the spiritual and moral development of each pupil,
• foster students’ self-respect as well as respect and mutual understanding for others,
• teach students to see everyone as having been made in God’s image and so, irrespective of faith, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and should be treated as such,
• teach student’s, not only about the Catholic and Christian faiths, but also promote an understanding and appreciation of different world religions.

Key Stage 3

Pupils in Key Stage 3 study the Catholic Religious Education Programme:

• Fully Alive 1 (Year 8)
• Fully Alive 2 (Year 9)
• Fully Alive 3 (Year 10)

The programme includes units on the Bible, the Sacraments, the Liturgical Year, moral and spiritual values and pupils also study 2 world religions;

• Judaism (Years 8 and 9) 
• Islam (Year 10)

Key Stage 4

GCSE Results

Key Stage 4 GCSE

Pupils have the opportunity ay Key Stage 4 to follow two examination specifications:

1 Qualification OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Religious Studies

Grading Level 2 Pass - a GCSE B grade

Assessment- 100% Course Work

Course Units:

2 WJEC EDUQAS GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies Route A

Pupils who study GCSE Religious Studies follow the WJEC specification studying specifically the teachings and values of Christianity and Judaism.

Pupils will complete 3 papers at the end of Year 12

Paper 1 weighting 50%

Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World

Candidates will study the following four themes. All questions are compulsory.

Theme 1: Relationships

Theme 2: Life and Death

Theme 3: Good and Evil

Theme 4: Human Rights

Paper 2 weighting 25%

Study of Christianity

Candidates will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity

Paper 3 weighting 25%

Study of a World Faith

Candidates will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of one world faith, selected from:

Option 1: Buddhism

Option 2: Hinduism

Option 3: Islam

Option 4: Judaism

Option 5: Sikhism

Career Progression

The study of religion provides many occasions for personal and intellectual growth, but most departments of religion are also committed to transmitting a set of very practical skills to their students:

• In religion courses you'll gain a fundamental cultural literacy.
• You'll be trained in the skills associated with data gathering and direct observation.
• As a religion graduate, you are also asked to interpret and express your position on perplexing phenomena, exercising both your analytical skills and your originality.
• Your critical intelligence will constantly be tested and developed, along with your ability to empathize with your fellow human being in order to understand his or her perspective.

Jobs where having studied RE would be useful include:

• Advice worker
• Archivist
• Charity officer
• Civil Service administrator
• Community development worker
• Editorial assistant
• Newspaper journalist
• Social worker
• Further Education teacher
• Higher Education lecturer
• Primary School teacher
• Secondary School teacher

Other Information – Rewards, Events or Activities

We provide opportunities for religious observance throughout the year.

Mass is celebrated at the beginning of the School Year with dedicated services for Year 8 and 12 pupils. Penitential services are held during Lent and Advent offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Ashes are distributed during Whole school assembly on Ash Wednesday and we organise Carol Services and prepare Liturgical Dramas through the performance of the Gospel Stories e.g. “The Prodigal Son” for Advent Penitential Service in conjunction with Our Lady and St. Patrick’s Parish Church Ballymoney.

Pupils take part in an annual retreat which is delivered by staff, outside facilitators and in Year 12 at Corrymeela.

Pupils are encouraged to show empathy and service to others throughout the year in our support for various charities. We have strong links with the local charity “Road of Hope”, where Our Lady of Lourdes pupils have worked for several years to help provide “Shoeboxes” for some of the neediest in the developing world.  The Youth St Vincent de Paul Group organise many events from preparing Christmas Hampers to raising awareness of Mental Health issues through fundraising for the charity “Aware.”

Key Stage 4 pupils are involved in the Mother Theresa Award and this affords them opportunities to carry out volunteer work in their local parishes and in school.