All students in the Sixth Form follow the Core RE programme (one hour per week) reflecting Catholic social issues; all topics taught are in line with the expectations of the Bishop’s Conference of England and Wales.

We have developed a bespoke course linked to the Sacred Heart 5 Goals. Core RE provides our students with the opportunity to reflect on their world views, through evaluation of current social and global issues. As a Catholic School for all we look to develop the whole-person, which continues into our Sixth Form. The purpose of this course is to develop skills in: communication, team-work, debating, evaluation and analysis and extended writing. Students are encouraged to explore their own morality and ethics by examining Catholic Social Teaching on global issues such as military drone technologies, genetic engineering, environmentalism and social justice in today's world.

	Goal of Building Community ‘The building of community as a Christian value’	Year 12: To understand the concepts of peace and active non-violence as vital aspects of building community.
		Year 13: To understand the concept of our global community and our rights and responsibilities towards members of our worldwide community.
	Goal of Valuing Intellect ‘A deep respect for intellectual values’	Year 12: To understand the ways in which we can use our society’s advancing intellectual discoveries in an ethical and respectful manner.
		Year 13: To understand the ethical issues behind recent advances in the field of military technology: how do we use our intellect ethically?
	Goal of Social Awareness that impels to Action ‘A social awareness which impels to action’	Year 12: To understand Catholic Social Teaching on human dignity and the ways in which we can contribute to ensuring the dignity of all people.
		Year 13: To understand the plight of those involved in human trafficking, the response of the Catholic Church, and our own personal responsibility.
	Goal of an Active Faith ‘A personal and active faith in God’	Year 12: To understand the debate between faith and reason, with an opportunity to reflect on our own experience of faith, evidence, and belief.
		Year 13: To understand and evaluate the issues arising from religious extremism, terrorism, and fundamentalist religious groups.
	Goal of Personal Growth Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom’	Year 12: To understand and evaluate the concept of feminism, and how our role and responsibilities as women can be informed by our faith, how we can educate from the foundations of feminism movements.
		Year 13: To investigate and present a topic of personal interest, taking into consideration the religious, ethical, and social implications for Catholics in the modern world.

Expectations in Core RE

You are expected to engage and contribute in lessons – you will only get out what you put in. You are expected to complete all written tasks to the best of your ability. Attendance is compulsory.

Core RE and the EPQ

Towards the middle of Year 12, you will be offered the opportunity to undertake the AQA Extended Project Qualification. You may find that your Core RE lessons provide you with an idea for your EPQ; perhaps an issue of morality, social teaching, faith, ethics, or religion that you wish to investigate further. If this is the case, we are happy to help – let the RE department know!