The principal aim of religious studies at Bryanston is to engage pupils in enquiring into the big questions in life from the study of religion, belief, philosophy and ethics. In so doing RS will support pupils’ own personal moral, philosophical, ethical and spiritual development whilst promoting respect for others. To find out more about how we achieve this, please see the department aims below.
Pupils study the major world faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. Pupils are also given the opportunity to explore other faith practices as well. They are taught the main beliefs and teachings of each faith and they explore the impact these beliefs have on how people live their lives. Pupils investigate the nature of faith on society and critically evaluate the impact this has had on this country and the wider world.
Pupils are given the opportunity to begin studying some of the big questions in life through the examination of contemporary moral issues. They explore the key arguments for and against the existence of God, the problem of suffering, the issues surrounding medical ethics, the value and nature of human rights, care for the environment. They are given the chance to examine key ways of promoting social harmony through the seven protected characteristics of the equality act.
In the sixth form pupils have the chance to study A level Religious Studies or IB Philosophy.
The Religious Studies A level (OCR) is a mixture of two core disciplines: Theology and Philosophy. It is rigorous, but accessible course which will develop your reasoning, reading and writing abilities. If you enjoy arguing, an interacting with abstract ideas, then this is the subject for you.
Component 1: Philosophy of Religion, two hour exam (33%)
Component 2: Religion and Ethics, two hour exam (23%)
Component 3: Developments in Religious thought, two hour exam (23%)
Our IB programme features various different subjects:
You can read some of our pupils' work through our new PPE magazine, a pupil-led publication combining philosophy, politics and economics here.
The department regularly takes pupils to philosophical conferences both nationally and locally.
The department has a number of key aims.
