Welcome to the Religious Education Faculty
RE is the study of what it is to be human. In the words of Albert Einstein, “What is the meaning of human life, or, for that matter, of the life of any creature? To know the answer to this question means to be religious. You ask: ‘Does it make any sense, then, to pose this question?’ I answer: ‘The man who regards his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life.’” In the RE Department at Ashton CSC, we aim to explore the meaning and purpose of life through the framework of key concepts within the major world religions.
Year 7
Year 7 students learn about beliefs. They explore philosophical arguments for the existence of God. They are introduced the six main world religions before looking at the ideas around Easter. Year 7 ends with a study of Sikhism.
Year 8
Year 8 students look at key ideas in Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity in an exploration of where we find guidance.
Year 9, 10 and 11
In Year 9, students are able to opt for GCSE RE, in which case they follow the AQA Specification A GCSE. It involves a study of the beliefs and practices of Christianity and Islam. They follow this course through year 9, 10 and 11. They then go on to look at themes within religion and society. The four themes that we study are:
- Relationships and families.
- Religion and life.
- The existence of God and revelation.
- Religion, crime and punishment.
All students must legally receive Religious Education. To meet this requirement, all students have one hour of non-examined RE in year 9, 10 and 11. This engaging curriculum is based around the beliefs and traditions of the major six world faiths and their attitudes around ultimate questions and contemporary moral issues.
Mr A. Barrow
Head of RE
Mrs P. Barrow
Head of Faculty for Personal Development. Teacher of PSHE, RE and PE
Miss S. Borwick
Teacher of RE
Miss C. Parkinson
Teacher of RE
Useful Links
Christianity
| Website | Description |
| http://www.world-faiths.com/christianity/ | Full page overview of the Christian faith. From origins and follower numbers to festivals. |
| www.salisburycathedral.org.uk | Salisbury Cathedrals offical website. |
| www.vatican.va | Vatican's offical website. Including online tours and lastest news about the Catholic Church. |
| www.rejesus.co.uk | Including the story of Jesus, images and modern Christians accounts. The four rooms section is supposed to offer a different aspect of Jesus, worth a visit. |
| www.salvationarmy.org | Offical website of the Salvation Army. Giving international information with links to the UK website. |
| http://www.quaker.org.uk/ | Official website of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). |
| www.christian-aid.org.uk/ | The Christian charity web page. |
| www.wcc-coe.org | The Word Council of Churches. A group aimed to encourage Christian unity. |
| www.catholic.org | Information all about the Roman Catholic Church. |
| www.request.org.uk | A website all about Christianity. |
Islam
| Website | Description |
| http://www.world-faiths.com/islam/ | Full page overview of the Islamic faith. From origins and follower numbers to Holy Texts. |
| http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/pillars.shtml | Good site giving an overview of the 5 Pillars. |
| http://www.islamicity.com/multimedia/radio/ch90/ | Listen to the call to prayer online. |
| http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/H/hajj/ | Watch video from Hajj or do the virtual Hajj. |
| http://www.religiousstudies.co.uk/hajj/hajj.htm | Information about Hajj. You can read stories of the Hajj or look at the places pilgrims visit. |
| http://www.islam.tc/main.php | The Qur'an online. This site includes a search section. |
| http://www.islamicart.com/ | Website about Islamic culture, with the specific focus of art and architecture. |
Judaism
| Website | Description |
| http://www.world-faiths.com/judaism/ | Full page overview of the Jewish faith. From origins and follower numbers to Sacred Texts. |
| http://www.jewfaq.org/signs.htm | A good source for research of key Jewish artefacts. You will find other links at the side for other areas to look at. |
| www.yadvashem.org.il | Information about the Holocaust. |
Hinduism
| Website | Description |
| http://www.world-faiths.com/hinduism/ | Full page overview of the Hindu faith. From origins and follower numbers to Holy Texts. |
| www.hindunet.org | A site aimed at Hindus. The quick intro section under the channels at the right hand side of the page has some interesting overviews of key inforamtion about Hinduism. |
| www.hindukids.org | Aimed at Hindu kids. The site contains some interesting information and games. Under the Stories section you will find the Ramayana. If you look in the learn section there is a really good guide to Hindu Dharma. |
| http://www.hindunet.org/god/ | A good overview of the gods of Hinduism. |
Buddhism
| Website | Description |
| http://www.world-faiths.com/buddhism/ | Full page overview of the Buddhist faith. From origins and follower numbers to Holy Texts. |
| www.dharmathecat.com | Buddhist cartoons. |
| http://www.wildmind.org | Information about meditation. |
| http://www.buddhanet.net/mag_kids.htm | Information site for Kids. Go to the Sitemap link at the bottom of the page for loads of links. Including the history of the different traditions. |
Sikhism
| Website | Description |
| http://www.world-faiths.com/Sikhism/ | Full page overview of the Sikh faith. From origins and follower numbers to Holy Texts. |
| http://www.world-faiths.com/Sikhism/ | Official Sikh website giving information about most aspects of Sikhism. A great research site. |
| http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism | Some basics about Sikhism, including links about Guru Nanak, festivals, and Sikh weddings. |
AQA GCSE Links
| Website | Description |
| http://www.cafod.org.uk/ | Information about the Catholic chairty. |
| www.religiousstudies.co.uk | Website aimed at key stage 4. This website looks at many of the modules we study and has some helpful information. |
| www.tearfund.org | Information about this Christian charity and the work it does. |
| http://www.religiousstudies.co.uk/ks4/ks4rev.htm | Revisions site, visit the truth and spirituality sections. |
| http://www.islamic-relief.com/ | Information about the Islamic charity. |
| www.christian-aid.org.uk/ | The official website of the Christian charity. |
| http://www.islam.tc/main.php | The Qur'an online. This site includes a search section. |
