Religious and Moral Education

S1-S4

Updated February 2007

Table of Contents

Synopsis of RME Curriculum

 Return to Top of Page

General Statement

This curriculum has been designed to expand pupil’s knowledge and understanding of religions, morals and ethics which were laid down during their Primary School years. It involves exploring the practices, ideas and beliefs associated with religion and stances for living and the influences of these on behaviour. It gives pupils the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, their relationships and the world around them. It examines different ways of looking at life and enables them to evaluate their own values, the values of the society to which they belong and the values of other societies.

Religious and Moral Education should open up for pupils areas of art, music, literature, films and drama which cannot be fully understood without an understanding of religion.

By developing pupils’ understanding of a wide range of customs and beliefs, Religious and Moral Education should promote tolerance between people of different racial, cultural and religious backgrounds. By encouraging pupils to think carefully about selected issues of morality, RME assists pupils in developing informed responses to moral dilemmas.  

There is an eight week modular theme to the work and within each module there will be more specific religious and moral aims and objectives. The subject is taught in 2 x 40 minute lessons per week in year groups and is directed towards skill and knowledge acquisition together with an open policy to discuss, in forum, material current and/or historical to the relevant module or topic.

The RME courses in each year will be aware of the teaching styles and content of the Personal and Social Development lessons and liaison with the relevant staff regarding cross curricular activities will be carefully monitored to ensure consistency of material and direction.

The encouragement of open discussion in each year group should improve the ability of a pupil to put forward a well thought out opinion or stance and yet be able to accept another’s differing view. The hope is that discussion will help to develop a pupils self confidence, oral communication skills and a level of tolerance befitting a mature adult.

Return to Top of Page

Assessment

Throughout the years, formative assessment will take place as a matter of course. Summative assessment will be required normally at the end of specific modules to ensure the acquisition on knowledge and skills has been gained.

Assessment will be required regarding Christianity and other World Religions and also in the pupil’s personal search. Certain attitudes may also be assessed although not on an objective scale.

However, because religious and moral issues are often controversial and involve personal decision and commitment, it would be quite wrong to assess the personal stances of pupils in such relation to matters. Thus a pupils’ view in relation to a moral dilemma should not be assessed as right or wrong, but the insights and skills shown in the process of considering such questions may be. This should show itself in the discussion forums in the class.

Return to Top of Page

Department Policy on Homework and Study

Whilst the subject follows the school policy it is likely that apart from some research for particular topics, little homework will be set. Normally research will be undertaken in lesson time. Encouragement to watch or listen to specific informative and documentary programmes will be made but it will not penalise pupils if this is not possible. The ability to gain a more informed attitude and tolerance to religion and morals in class lessons in the overriding criteria.

Return to Top of Page

Aims and Objectives

    To help pupils to develop a knowledge and understanding of Christianity and other World religions and to recognise religion as an important expression of human experience

    To help pupils to appreciate moral values such as honesty, liberty, justice, fairness and concern for others

    To help pupils to investigate and understand the questions and answers that religions can offer about nature and the meaning of life

    To help pupils to develop their own beliefs, attitudes, moral values and practices through a process of personal search, discovery and critical evaluation

    To discuss responsibly with others regarding religion, belief, morals and ethics and also to be able to accept and tolerate others with differing points of view.

Return to Top of Page

Evaluation  

It is very important that during the courses the staff is aware that:

    Thematic work drawing on several religions does not lead to confusion by pupils

    Separate treatment of religions succeeds in identifying important similarities and differences

    The pupils are shown healthily enquiring attitudes and at the same time respect for the views of others

    The pupils have been able to make connections between what they have learned about religions and their own life experience and personal search. 

Return to Top of Page

S1 Module Outlines

Return to Top of Page

S2 Module Outlines

Return to Top of Page

S3 Module Outlines

Return to Top of Page

S4 Module Outlines

Return to Top of Page