RE
Religious Education is the Core of the Core Curriculum at BGN. The subject is approached in an enthusiastic and challenging way which allows for individual expression and develops the knowledge and necessary skills for a mature Christian life. In so doing it also hopes to serve the needs of the wider Christian community and society at large.
In accordance with the school Mission Statement the R.E. department endeavours to ensure our classrooms are ‘A hub of faith and learning’. This is done by the programme of study; the way in which we teach; the provision of opportunities for prayer and worship; the links with the local parochial communities in prayer, worship and pastoral activities; the forming of links with the local clergy; and the celebration of the sacraments, particularly Reconciliation and the Eucharist.
The department has strong links not only with the local parishes but also with the Archdiocese of Birmingham and Oxford University. We are recognized by Oxford University as a valued training partner and we regularly receive students wishing to gain experience in an environment where religious education is held in high regard and taught to all students 11-18 years, whatever their background or ability.
THE DEPARTMENT
The R.E. Department at BGN consists of six qualified teachers who are subject specialists sharing a common vision and faith, to achieve agreed objectives. We have a variety of gifts, talents, backgrounds and skills which we employ to the advantage of students and the department as a whole; students learn through a variety of teaching styles and are stimulated by the range of interests and breadth of experience each teacher brings to the subject.
Religious Education is an important academic subject. The knowledge and understanding imparted here both develop the human potential of the individual, and the academic potential and qualification. At the same time, it is of fundamental importance in a Catholic school that it is one of the facilities/environments in which an individual's faith can be nurtured, strengthened and directed as a personal relationship with God and as a member of the Church community. The department does not seek a compromise between these two different ideals, but the full pursuance of each in the formation of pupils in the school.
THE CURRICULUM
Religious Education is an important academic subject. The knowledge and understanding imparted here both develop the human potential of the individual, and the academic potential and qualification.
At the same time it is of fundamental importance in a Catholic school that it is one of the facilities/environments in which an individual's faith can be nurtured, strengthened and directed as a personal relationship with God and as a member of the Church community.
The department does not seek a compromise between these two different ideals, but the full pursuance of each in the formation of pupils in the school.
It is the policy of the department to enter students for public examinations suited to their abilities and aptitudes. The majority of pupils are entered for OCR GCSE Full Course, though some pupils may well be entered for OCR GCSE Short Course, or the Level 2 Extended Project.
In addition we offer A/S and A2 courses in Religious Studies - opting for the Philosophy, New Testament and Ethics modules with Edexcel. This is a popular subject. All students in the Sixth Form follow the Edexcel Extended Project which gives them a Level 3 qualification over 2 years
KEY STAGE 3
Our Key Stage 3 Religious Education curriculum aims to form young people who are religiously literate, spiritually reflective, morally grounded, and able to engage confidently with the Catholic faith and the wider world. Rooted in the Religious Education Directory (RED), our curriculum ensures that pupils encounter the richness of Catholic theology, Scripture, tradition, and practice while developing the skills needed to think critically and live out the call to discipleship. Our bespoke curriculum utilises the expertise of the department alongside the Source to Summit scheme of learning and resources.
KEY STAGE 4
At Key Stage 4 we build upon the foundations of Key Stage 3 in order to develop the ability of our students to articulate Catholic belief with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Through the AQA GCSE Religious Studies Specification B, pupils deepen their understanding of Catholic theology, Scripture, ethics, and Church practice, while developing the evaluative skills needed to engage with contemporary moral and social issues. In studying Judaism, students are able to explore a different religious tradition and develop an appreciation for the necessity of interreligious dialogue.
The curriculum supports pupils in becoming disciples of Christ, active citizens, and young people who contribute to the common good.
KEY STAGE 5 - A Level
The Key Stage 5 Religious Studies curriculum aims to form critical and reflective young adults who can engage deeply with the big questions of human existence. Through the Edexcel A Level Religious Studies specification, students develop rigorous academic understanding of philosophy, Ethics, and New Testament theology while being rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition: faith and reason.
The curriculum nurtures students who can think theologically, reason ethically, and articulate their beliefs with clarity and intellectual integrity.
KEY STAGE 5 - Core RE
Core RE exists to form mature, reflective, and socially responsible young adults who can engage thoughtfully with questions of faith, ethics, identity, and the common good. Core RE provides all sixth‑form students—regardless of their academic pathway—with opportunities to deepen their spiritual awareness, moral reasoning, and understanding of religion in the modern world.
The curriculum ensures that every student encounters the richness of the Catholic tradition while developing the skills needed to navigate contemporary ethical, social, and philosophical challenges.
