The RS Department is committed to providing a broad appreciation of world faiths, enhancing students’ spiritual development and developing a sound knowledge base for assessment and progression across each Key Stage.  The RS course is also designed at Key Stage 3 and 4 to challenge students’ understanding of moral and ethical issues and dilemmas.  Students are taught in mixed ability groups in both Key Stages.  Staffed by both Specialist and non-specialist teachers, the Department has a strong emphasis on supporting and developing teaching, learning and subject specialist knowledge.  The RS Department is based within the Faculty of Social Science, with staff from a variety of disciplines – Geography, History, Sociology, and Psychology - working closely together.  The faculty has a designated office with good computer access for staff and desk space.

At Key Stage 3, the Department follows the Bradford Agreed Syllabus for RE, incorporating and developing topic areas to meet the needs of a diverse school population.  All students who enter Hanson are introduced to the six main world religions, where they investigate and explore belief, people of influence, way of life, festivals, sacred writing and community involvement.  The aim is to ensure students can progress further in each key stage with a sound basic knowledge. A thematic approach is then used to ensure students are able to appreciate differences and similarities between the world faiths – modules include Symbols, Belief in God, Pilgrimage and Religion in the Locality. 

At Key Stage 4, the Edexcel Short Course Specification A, Unit A is followed by all students as part of their compulsory Religious Education.  The specification has been selected to meet students’ needs and to introduce a broader aspect of religious, moral and ethical dilemmas. The course considers both religious and non-religious responses to Belief in God, Religion in the Media, Life and Death, Marriage and Family and Social Harmony.  Students are regularly assessed and monitored to ensure learning is taking place, that clear targets are set and presented to all students and so progression can be monitored.  A strong emphasis is placed on students to succeed and meet and exceed their individual targets.  Those identified as needing a greater level of individual support follow the Level Entry coursework requirements in addition to attendance to their RS lessons.  The Department works closely with the Learning Support Department in ensuring that these students are achieving.

The RS Department has two dedicated teaching rooms and a variety of teaching techniques such as group work, presentations and role-play are employed to facilitate learning.  As part of the Building Schools for the Future project there will be considerable improvements and additions made to ICT access in the next 18 months, including interactive-whiteboards.  There is access to a variety of artefacts to help bring religion to life.  A wide range of video material, including films and animations, is available and is constantly being developed to enable students to explore religious ideas and issues. Additionally, the RS Department is well stocked with a range of text resources both for whole class use and for teaching staff to use in developing ideas and material.  The Department will be looking to develop ICT resources to make full use of planned changes taking place.

The RS Department is growing in prominence, being part of ITT programmes for a number of regional Universities.  There are training and career development opportunities within the Social Science Faculty.  Moreover, there is a strong morale and sense of job satisfaction that has created a supporting environment whether you are just starting your teaching career or looking to develop your opportunities further.