Religious & Moral Education

Aim of Course

  • To enable pupils to develop their own values and beliefs
  • To allow pupils to appreciate moral values such as honesty, fairness, concern for others
  • To enable pupils to learn about other cultures and religions in order to demonstrate respect to other people
  • To help pupils develop questioning skills
  • To help pupils learn to express personal opinions
  • To encourage pupils to develop responsible, caring and informed attitudes to all members of society

Pupils attend Religious & Moral Education 1 period per week.

Course Content

  • BGE course: Joseph – Jealousy, Telling lies, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Jewish/Christian belief that God helps in all situations
  • Christmas – Why Christians celebrate Christmas, Religious and Secular aspects, Christmas customs, People who have a difficult time at Christmas, e.g. folk in hospital
  • Weddings – Commitment, Love, Respect, Relationships, Respecting the wedding practices and traditions of others
  • Parables – The Parable of the Prodigal Son – forgiveness, The Parable of the Lost Sheep – looking after people who are important to us, The Parable of the Good Samaritan – helping people, The importance of caring, sharing and cooperating with each other
  • Easter – Holy week, Why Christians celebrate Easter, Easter customs in other countries
    • Divali – Introduction to Hinduism, Story of Rama & Sita, Good overcoming bad, What happens at the festival
    • Moses – Trust in God, The Ten plagues, The Ten Commandments, Rules and obedience, Passover
    • Hanukkah – Story behind Hanukkah, Why Jews celebrate Hanukkah, Customs, e.g. Dreidel game
    • Ultimate Questions – Does God exist?, Suffering, Life after death, How did the world begin?
    • Sacred Places & Symbols – Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Sikhism. In the Senior Phase contribution is made the the SQA Personal Development Award and SQA certification in RME as appropriate.

    Assessment Arrangements

    • Informal assessment (worksheets, verbal answers)
    • End of unit assessment
    • Formal assessment- SQA in Senior Phase
    • Observations
    • Attestations

    Reporting

    Reports take place in written form through end of term reports and for review meetings, and verbally at bi-annual parents night.

    Sanderson High is non-denominational

    Religious education is provided throughout the school with pupils being offered the opportunity to raise their awareness of others, develop personal values and respect the needs and feelings of other people through discussion and topic study.

    Pupils study a range of world religions and issues related to personal search.

    Pupils are encouraged to make Sanderson High School a place of safety for all who attend and this attitude requires respect and consideration for all members of the school population.

    Regular whole school assemblies are used to celebrate successes and promote the feeling of unity.

    Parents and friends are welcome to attend end of term services.

    All religious beliefs are respected in Sanderson High School and parents may withdraw their children from religious education and observance by informing the Head Teacher.  Alternative arrangements will be made.

    Roman Catholic Education is optional and delivered monthly, attending services in and out of school on holy days of obligation .