DEPARTMENT

Welcome to the Religious Studies department.

Staff:
• Miss J. Alltoft - Head of Department
• Mrs A. St. John - Teacher of RS
• Mrs E. Allatson - Teacher of RS

We are a small team based in two specialist rooms with lovely views up the Wharfe valley.
We are committed to a balanced and non-indoctrinating study of some of the world’s major faiths and related issues.
Our objective is to encourage students to approach the world and its challenges with a tolerant and empathetic mind.

We don’t prescribe specific values, but we allow students to discuss issues in a fair and sensitive environment. Comments of a racist, sexist or homophobic nature are always challenged. It is hoped that positive values are absorbed through the ethos of the school as a whole, as well as through the subject matter of these lessons. Each student should come to realise that their views are important, and that they too must respect the views of others. We encourage the skills of listening, reflection, empathy and emotional literacy.

We aim to push students in their essay writing and examination performance, striving for high standards of work at home and in the class. However, we recognise that the R.S. department is unique in that we are dealing with fundamental issues of life and death. We are privileged to have the opportunity to discuss matters that students don’t touch on in any other aspect of their school life. To claim we are just an academic department would therefore be neglecting the treasure trove of experiences and ideas that lies within all our students.