Religious Studies at
Mark Rutherford

Unity in Diversity
God is one even if our paths are different

The Religious Education Department consists of two full time qualified teachers S. Bechoo and G. Mhalanga. This department is still in its infancy but growing ever so rapidly. Teachers meet regularly to plan as well as to share good practice.

The Department is fully resourced with audio visual and written materials. It works closely with charitable and religious organisations’ in Bedford and has established links with neighbouring schools as well as the local Mosque, Church and Sikh places of worship. The Department participates in assemblies that cover religious festivals celebrated by all faith groups. Students have found these stimulating and informative as it gives them an insight into other religious denominations and helps clear misconceptions.

It has been encouraging to find that both staff and students are enthusiastic and contribute by volunteering to do religious assemblies. This is provides an opportunity for our students to take the stage and deliver an assembly to the school, thus allowing them to develop their skills as a speaker.

At present students take RE once every fortnight in Year 9, 10 and Year 11. In 2008/2009, our Year 9’s will be timetabled to do Religious Education every week and we envisage that this follows through into Year 10 and Year 11 over the next two years. Thus RE will be timetabled once a week for all year groups by 2010.

Students are encouraged to sit Religious Education in Year 11 as this will provide them with an extra ½ GCSE. Having RE as a GCSE sends a message out to prospective employers that the student now entering the work environment is a lateral thinker as well as someone who will get along fairly easy and understand people from different cultural and religious backgrounds.

The Religious Education Syllabus

Year 9:

Year 10:

Year 11

Mr S. Bechoo, Head of Religious Education and Ks3 Maths