The curriculum is planned so that pupils engage with the basic key principles and tenets of each religion in a reflective and evaluative way, analyzing each from an academic perspective. At the same time, all personal faith positions are respected and a tolerant attitude towards those of different faith positions or none is a precondition of study. Pupils at all levels are introduced to core philosophical principles and arguments, particularly those relating to religion. This again is handled in an evaluative and analytical way, pupils being encouraged to scrutinize arguments and formulate fresh principle and ideas where possible. In addition to the classroom-based activities outlined above, pupils are offered a wide variety of enrichment activities. These include field trip and conference activities, as well as a departmental debating society, Socrates Club. Recent trips and conferences have included: Shri Swarminaryan Mandir, London Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, Sussex Dr Peter Vardy lectures, Exeter Prof. David Catchpole New Testament lectures at Sarum College, Salisbury Cambridge Union Ethics Conference with Dr Rowan Williams GCSE Over the last 20 years our subject has changed almost beyond recognition. The modern study of religious and ethical issues is a demanding and objective logical analysis of the reasons behind what people believe, and how their beliefs determine the way they behave. Courses at this level are designed to provide an enquiring and critical approach to important life questions and moral issues in today’s world. Linguistic and historical skills are developed, alongside a growing understanding of philosophical and theological concepts. Pupils are not required to hold any particular personal religious beliefs, but they should have a serious academic commitment and an open mind. A LEVEL The Department is privileged to offer two distinct courses: A Level Religious Studies (including New Testament Theology) and A Level Philosophy. A Level Religious Studies deals with the most difficult and significant questions human beings ask such as ‘Is there a God?’, ‘What happens when we die?’ and ‘How can anyone take religion seriously when there is so much suffering in the world?’ The study of the New Testament is a challenging analysis of a text which forms the basis for all credal statements within the Church. Typical areas of study include considering who Jesus was and why he was crucified. The study of Religious Ethics incorporates the study of ethical theories, the application of ethical theories to issues of importance, ethical language, deontology, and virtue ethics. During the course, pupils will engage with issues such as medical ethics and issues of life and death. The A Level Philosophy course is designed to develop a range of transferable skills which can be applied far beyond the study of Philosophy. It gives pupils a thorough grounding in key philosophical concepts, themes, texts and techniques as well as enabling them to develop the ability to reason, form their own judgements, express themselves coherently and contribute to the process of debate. These skills are developed by focusing on the major philosophical areas of Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Moral Philosophy, and Philosophy of Mind.
Places for entry into Year 12 will be offered on the basis of a satisfactory report from the pupil’s present school and a series of short interviews with the Headmaster or one of the Deputy Heads, the Head of Sixth Form or a Senior Sixth Form Tutor, and two subject interviews with Heads of Departments. Pupils looking to join the Sixth Form must reach a minimum target for entry, consisting of: GCSE grade 4 or IGCSE grade 4 or C or above in English Language and Mathematics (grades 6 or B or above are preferable). A minimum point score of 54 (taken from the 9 best subjects including English Language and Mathematics) with points taken at face value for numerical grades or for alphabetical grades as follows: 8 points for an A*, 7 for an A, 6 for a B, and 5 for a C. Short courses and grades below 4 or C are not counted for the purposes of entry scores It is recommended that pupils also gain GCSE grade 7 or IGCSE grade 7 or A or above in the subjects chosen for A Level or in allied subjects for A Levels that were not studied at GCSE (eg Physics for Electronics)
About Education Provider
| Region | South West |
| Local Authority | Bath and North East Somerset |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £16,950 - £17,250 |
| Address | North Road, Bath, BA2 6HU |
The curriculum is planned so that pupils engage with the basic key principles and tenets of each religion in a reflective and evaluative way, analyzing each from an academic perspective. At the same time, all personal faith positions are respected and a tolerant attitude towards those of different faith positions or none is a precondition of study. Pupils at all levels are introduced to core philosophical principles and arguments, particularly those relating to religion. This again is handled in an evaluative and analytical way, pupils being encouraged to scrutinize arguments and formulate fresh principle and ideas where possible. In addition to the classroom-based activities outlined above, pupils are offered a wide variety of enrichment activities. These include field trip and conference activities, as well as a departmental debating society, Socrates Club. Recent trips and conferences have included: Shri Swarminaryan Mandir, London Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, Sussex Dr Peter Vardy lectures, Exeter Prof. David Catchpole New Testament lectures at Sarum College, Salisbury Cambridge Union Ethics Conference with Dr Rowan Williams GCSE Over the last 20 years our subject has changed almost beyond recognition. The modern study of religious and ethical issues is a demanding and objective logical analysis of the reasons behind what people believe, and how their beliefs determine the way they behave. Courses at this level are designed to provide an enquiring and critical approach to important life questions and moral issues in today’s world. Linguistic and historical skills are developed, alongside a growing understanding of philosophical and theological concepts. Pupils are not required to hold any particular personal religious beliefs, but they should have a serious academic commitment and an open mind. A LEVEL The Department is privileged to offer two distinct courses: A Level Religious Studies (including New Testament Theology) and A Level Philosophy. A Level Religious Studies deals with the most difficult and significant questions human beings ask such as ‘Is there a God?’, ‘What happens when we die?’ and ‘How can anyone take religion seriously when there is so much suffering in the world?’ The study of the New Testament is a challenging analysis of a text which forms the basis for all credal statements within the Church. Typical areas of study include considering who Jesus was and why he was crucified. The study of Religious Ethics incorporates the study of ethical theories, the application of ethical theories to issues of importance, ethical language, deontology, and virtue ethics. During the course, pupils will engage with issues such as medical ethics and issues of life and death. The A Level Philosophy course is designed to develop a range of transferable skills which can be applied far beyond the study of Philosophy. It gives pupils a thorough grounding in key philosophical concepts, themes, texts and techniques as well as enabling them to develop the ability to reason, form their own judgements, express themselves coherently and contribute to the process of debate. These skills are developed by focusing on the major philosophical areas of Epistemology, Philosophy of Religion, Ethics and Moral Philosophy, and Philosophy of Mind.
Places for entry into Year 12 will be offered on the basis of a satisfactory report from the pupil’s present school and a series of short interviews with the Headmaster or one of the Deputy Heads, the Head of Sixth Form or a Senior Sixth Form Tutor, and two subject interviews with Heads of Departments. Pupils looking to join the Sixth Form must reach a minimum target for entry, consisting of: GCSE grade 4 or IGCSE grade 4 or C or above in English Language and Mathematics (grades 6 or B or above are preferable). A minimum point score of 54 (taken from the 9 best subjects including English Language and Mathematics) with points taken at face value for numerical grades or for alphabetical grades as follows: 8 points for an A*, 7 for an A, 6 for a B, and 5 for a C. Short courses and grades below 4 or C are not counted for the purposes of entry scores It is recommended that pupils also gain GCSE grade 7 or IGCSE grade 7 or A or above in the subjects chosen for A Level or in allied subjects for A Levels that were not studied at GCSE (eg Physics for Electronics)