INTRODUCTION

PSRE forms part of the curriculum in every year at Sweyne Park. In Years 7 and 8 pupils have one hour PSE and one hour of RE each week, while Year 9 have one hour each week of a combined PSRE course, which continues in Years 10 and 11. In totality the course challenges the pupils to think about a wide range of issues and situations they will face in their lives. It provides a firm basis of knowledge and enables pupils to develop their own spirituality and code of behaviour, and to gain an understanding of, and sympathy for, others’ beliefs and attitudes.

The course is built around the concept of respect; respect for oneself, respect for others and respect for all aspects of environment. Pupils are taught in mixed ability classes.

COURSE DETAILS

Religious Education Aspects

The Essex Agreed Syllabus is followed to provide pupils with the basic factual information about religious beliefs, but with a special reference to Christianity because of its unique place in Britain’s culture. By doing so we hope to develop within the pupils their own beliefs and values.

In Year 7 we discuss the existence of God and how God may be experienced in Jesus Christ’s teaching on justice and key moments in his life. Pupils will also evaluate and study the life of Gotamma Buddha, and study links between religion and the environment. Year 8 will build on Year 7 work and study the importance of Jesus Christ’s incarnation and resurrection. Pupils will also consider the belief and practices of Sikhism and compare two places of worship.

Personal and Social Aspects

Pupils are asked to extend their self-awareness, to examine the opportunities open to them and then consider consequences of choosing one course of action over another. They are encouraged to approach life with an open mind, finding out the facts before making their choices from an informed point of view. Part of this process is to learn the accepted standards of society at large.

The PSE aspect works on a spiral curriculum dealing with personal safety issues, drugs education, work and careers, health education (which includes sex education), citizenship, financial skills and environmental issues. A good example would be Drugs Education; in Year 7, pupils deal with smoking, in Year 8 alcohol and cannabis and in Year 9, the illegal misuse of drugs.

Assessment

Pupils are assessed on their ability to understand and use information as well as its recall. They are assessed on their written work, content and presentation and their oral contributions to lessons. The yearly examination of the pupils is complemented by end of unit tests throughout the year.

Home Learning

Home learning is set on a regular basis. We endeavour to make home learnings as varied as possible; tasks may include research, making items, revising a topic, talking to parents, reading, as well as written tasks. The aim of home learning tasks is to reinforce and extend the knowledge developed in the classroom.

Beyond the Classroom

The PSRE Department is proud of its education extra offering to the pupils. We arrange many events, with a wide range of outside agencies being involved. Drama groups and individuals visit the school on a regular basis to back up work done in the classroom; visits to exhibitions and special events are also arranged.

The personal and social development of pupils is an integral part of education, and as such is found in all elements of school life. As well as the formal PSRE curriculum, a significant contribution is made through English, Drama and the pastoral system.

How Parents Can Help

Your child’s progress in PSRE can be greatly helped if you take an active interest in the work they are doing, discussing with an open mind those areas which seek to develop their child’s own beliefs and opinions. It is important that parents encourage their children to think more deeply about the subject matter and develop their own views.

Securing Success

PSRE seeks to develop informed individuals who can take responsibility for their own actions. We do not seek to make pupils follow any specific religious code or any particular doctrine, although, as noted, we do emphasis Christianity and the accepted standards of British society throughout the course. We expect high standards of behaviour and that all pupils will strive to do their very best. Work is monitored against the pupil’s school target grade; those who achieve or surpass that level are praised, while those who underachieve are encouraged to do better. Pupils who do not meet these standards in the first instance are likely to be detained after school; if they continually do not meet the standard, their Head of Year will become involved. If no improvement is forthcoming, then the help of parents in enlisted.

Staff

Curriculum Co-ordinator for PSRE – Horace Letchford.

If you have any queries or wish for further information about this curriculum area, please contact Mr Letchford or Ms Garner if you have particular issues relating to the RE aspects.