Introduction to Core Religious Education

Academic excellence, spiritual growth and faith in action

The aim of the College’s Core RE programme is to enable students to develop all their gifts (spiritual, academic, moral and physical) in line with our Mission Statement.  It is, therefore, central to the life of the College and to the curriculum, which is why, at St Dominic’s, we call it Core RE.   Its purpose in both Year 1 and Year 2 is to sow the seeds of the Gospel and to promote respect for others, inclusivity and love, from a Catholic perspective and within a multi-faith setting, where everyone is valued and can explore how best to relate to others.   

Our Core RE programme is delivered with the same rigour and high expectations as the A Level courses we offer. At the same time, it recognises the importance of “learning of the heart,” encouraging students not only to develop critical understanding but also to grow personally and spiritually.

The intended outcome of the Core RE is for students of all faiths, and none, to be religiously literate, to have the knowledge, understanding and skills to reflect spiritually and to think ethically and theologically.   Throughout the two-year programme emphasis is put on discussing what it means to aspire to live by gospel values.  The programme’s focus on relationships and human flourishing means that Core RE has a key role to play in promoting student wellbeing and mental health.    

The programme content is designed to encourage cross curricular learning. Both Year 1 and Year 2 cover a variety of topics, underpinned by Catholic Social Teaching (CST).

Scripture is central to the programme. As Pope John Paul II teaches, “The Church’s social teaching finds its source in Sacred Scripture, beginning with the Book of Genesis and especially in the Gospel and the writings of the Apostles.”

We use a range of passages, from single verses to longer texts, such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Supper at Emmaus, and the parable of the Good Samaritan. Each has been chosen to show how Scripture underpins the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Themes

In Year 1, students explore themes including:

• The meaning and purpose of life

• Human dignity and human rights

• Relationships, marriage, and family

• Ethical decision-making and Faith in Action (SEE, DISCERN, ACT)

• Social justice and solidarity

• Community and participation

• Preferential option for the poor and vulnerable

• Stewardship of creation

These themes are revisited in Year 2, helping students to apply CST to life today.

Assessment: In Year 1, students are assessed through their oral contributions, participation in class discussions, and short written reflections completed in each lesson. In Year 2, students undertake two written assessments under test conditions. These scripturally based assessments offer students the opportunity to articulate how their understanding of faith shapes their thinking and actions. Often, their scripts reveal a deep ethical awareness and a maturity of theological thought, reflecting the progress they have made. Year 1 and Year 2 students receive their Core RE grades at the end of the Christmas and Easter terms.

Our vision is to enable our students to: 

• Grow spiritually based on Gospel values

• Recognise the innate value of every human being 

• Become grounded in the principles of CST 

• Be confident in their personal faith and engage in interfaith dialogue openly and respectfully

• Embrace the spirit of our Dominican heritage by seeking truth which will act as an anchor for them in a complex and uncertain world 

• Preach the word of God by their attitudes, actions and behaviours within our diverse multi-faith community and the wider milieu 

• Realise their personal vocation and become the person God is calling them to be. (“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire” St Catherine of Siena)  

• Draw on the ethos of the college throughout their lives. 

Reviewing the programme: The Core RE programme is reviewed annually to ensure that Scripture and CST continue to engage and inspire our students and to shape their moral, spiritual, and academic development.

Helena Shaw | Head of Core RE