Welcome to the RE department. In this section of the website, you will find important information for the department as well as some useful links to our curriculum page. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
| Teacher | Role | |
| Mrs Taberner | Head of Department | ltaberner@brs.srscmat.co.uk |
| Mrs Preston | RE teacher | apreston@brs.srscmat.co.uk |
| Miss Fair | RE teacher | hfair@brs.srscmat.co.uk |
| Mrs Bannister | RE teacher/Assistant Headteacher | jbannister@brs.srscmat.co.uk |
| Mr Hopkins | RE teacher/Assistant Headteacher | shopkins@brs.srscmat.co.uk |
Within RE, home learning will be set on a weekly basis by the class teacher. Students will be able to find this on Arbor and should have written the task and deadline in their planner.
We use Seneca, which is an online subject specific question-based platform. As your child moves into KS4, homework will begin to incorporate exam practice questions to prepare them for sitting their GCSE.
If your child is unable to access home learning online, please ensure that the department are aware so that accessible homework can be set for your child.
Seneca Learning – https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
You will need your pencil case with you every lesson with the whole school expected equipment. We recommend that you have 4 different colour highlighters or coloured pens to support annotation of text. In addition, you should have your subject knowledge organiser and a reading book. It is essential that you have your mini whiteboard, whiteboard pens and a rubber with you every lesson which will form part of your knowledge retrieval exercises in class.
You will need to ensure that you put your equipment on the desk at the start of each lesson along with your planner as they all form part of your learning.
In RE, we strive to acknowledge our students’ successes. Students will experience reward and recognition through the school newsletter, postcards, golden tickets, letters home and subject specific certificates and prizes.
In Religious Education, we aim to develop confident, independent readers who can engage with, interpret, analyse and evaluate a wide range of religious, philosophical and ethical texts. Students explore Biblical extracts, Church documents, encyclicals, philosophical texts and contemporary ethical discussions from a range of perspectives. Strong reading skills enable students to think critically, construct reasoned arguments and engage thoughtfully with questions of meaning, morality and belief.
We are equally committed to fostering a love of reading and intellectual curiosity beyond the classroom. Students are encouraged to engage with a range of fictional and non-fictional texts to help support the RE curriculum. Regular reading broadens students’ understanding of religious traditions, ethical issues and philosophical ideas, while developing empathy, cultural awareness and academic achievement.
Some recommended texts to support the KS3 curriculum:
Some recommended texts to support the KS4 curriculum:
Vocabulary and subject-specific terminology are explicitly taught throughout the curriculum. Students learn key theological, philosophical and ethical concepts alongside specialist terminology, enabling them to discuss complex ideas and evaluate differing viewpoints with increasing precision and confidence. To support independent learning, students have access to vocabulary lists and knowledge organisers linked to each unit of study. Reading and vocabulary development provide a strong foundation for success in Religious Education, helping students to become theologically literate and informed critical thinkers.
Years 8-11- Mizen Foundation visit: 15th September 2026
Year 10 virtual Jewish museum – TBC
Religious Education offers a wide range of enriching extra-curricular opportunities that support students’ spiritual, moral and intellectual development. Students are actively involved in Advent preparations, Stations of the Cross, and the celebration of key feast days, including the Feast of our subject saint, St Charles Borromeo. Opportunities to participate in chaplaincy activities allow students to contribute to the faith life of the school community, while debating events and philosophy discussions encourage the development of critical thinking and respectful dialogue. Students are also encouraged to take part in cross-curricular competitions and enrichment activities that deepen their understanding of religious, ethical and social issues beyond the classroom.
We use Eduqas Route B for GCSE QUALIFICATION.
You will find links to the exam board’s specification and recommended revision materials below:
GCSE Religious Studies | Eduqas
We are committed to ensuring that all students have access to high-quality revision resources. To support learning both in the classroom and at home, the RE department provides bespoke revision guides and workbooks that are carefully tailored to our curriculum.
In addition, students and families can purchase the recommended revision guide through ParentPay (My Revision Notes: WJEC Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies, Route B by Andrew Barron. ISBN: 1510418350).
Throughout Key Stage 4, students are equipped with a range of past examination papers, model responses and examiner-style materials. These resources help students develop their understanding of assessment objectives, recognise the features of high-level answers and build confidence in applying their knowledge under exam conditions.
The RE Department strives to prepare students for life after school. Some of the things we do to achieve this include:
As well as this, students are made aware of careers paths that RE can take them down. Having an RE A-Level or degree can open many different careers for students, such as:
This list is not exhaustive and is ever-changing. Having RE qualifications opens so many routes for students.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s RE teacher.
