Ethics, Philosophy & Religion
2011 Results:
GCSE - 93% A*, A GradesA Level 93% A*, A Grades
Academic rigor, exploring thinking,
facing the challenges of our contemporary societies…
Year 7
Year 7 forms part of a transitional period from childhood to young personhood; Origins, Stories, Myths reflects this. As pupils begin school life in Year 7, they explore religion through its stories, in imaginative and creative ways.
Year 8
After studying Origins, Stories and Myths (Year 7), students are then introduced to beliefs and practices of major religions - Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. The course is entitled The Architecture of Faith.
Year 9
Year 9 students should now have a firm foundation from which to explore and consider ‘Ethics, Philosophy and Religion’ and related questions, issues and encounters with the realities of the world. Worlds of Theology enables students to enter and explore the fascinating discussions concerning many topics from Chief Seattle’s approach to ecology to Martin Luther King’s struggle for racial equality.
GCSE Religious Studies
GCSE students gain an excellent understanding of what is going on globally and in their own society. They are encouraged to have independent minds, be highly confident in discussion, have the ability to offer balanced and rational viewpoints and be academically sound. With these skills, the GCSE is an asset on any CV.
Advanced Level Religious Studies
Students explore the fascinating philosophical questions of life and pursue independent thinking. Students will also prepare for life at university by participating in academic seminars run by visiting speakers including a Philosopher, a Buddhist monk etc. For those applying to study Philosophy / Theology at university, tuition is offered.
Unique Extra-Curricular Opportunities
The Year 7 Storytelling Day – a unique opportunity to explore the themes of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in the heart of the countryside using drama, quiet time, games and thinking.
The Year 8 Sacred Places Day. We journey to a Temple, a Mosque and a Cathedral to meet faith practitioners and end the day, stick dancing!
The Year 9 Journey Course offers a chance to explore questions of philosophy, faith and spirituality in unique settings, for example, at a monastery, an icon painting studio, a secret chapel.
Years 10 JAC Team (Justice Awareness Charity). Westholme has always been keen to support all sorts of charities. EPR JAC Team members plan and lead a fundraising event and support a local charity, a charity of their choice and some of the poorest people in Africa.
Fundraising supports projects such as a long term aid fishing project in Kenya
Years 10 Liturgy Team. Using their skills in dance, drama and singing, students create imaginative whole school liturgies for Easter and Christmas.
Year 10 Better Reading Scheme. After professional training, students offer their time to help children in a local primary school, develop their reading skills.
Year 11 Community Day. Journeying to the countryside, students experience an enactment of life lived as a refugee. Experiential learning is the key on this day.
Sixth Form Opportunities - This year, students visited Durham University to discuss Theology and also encountered the wonderful Sound and Light festival. They are attending a lecture given by theologian Keith Ward and have attended an evening on ‘Daring to Be Different: No To Violence’ during which they heard from an anti-human trafficking group and considered global justice issues.
Enabling adventures
Guiding young people into wholesome ways of being
Chartering new academic waters
Raising up independent leaders
Lowering the anchor into deep thinking
Offering stillness and space to reflect on who we are…
Westholme's new Senior Boys' School from September 2012!
