RE Department Visit 20th February 2024
I was delighted to be able to visit Prince Henry’s Religious Studies Department and to spend time with Miss Thomas discussing the current context, chatting through the Departmental assessment, and learning more about current strategies to advance the teaching of this increasingly important subject in our changing world. It is clear that the Department is run superbly by Miss Thomas, very capably aided by Mrs Habgood and Miss Woodman, who together form an effective team.
The main aspects of the curriculum, focussed on Christianity and Judaism at GCSE and with the addition of Philosophy and Ethics at A level, allow the student to grow in a spirit of generosity through understanding difference in the world, whilst considering, debating, and critiquing key contemporary ethical issues – life and death, crime and punishment, war and peace, and the problem of evil, and the reciprocal influence and impact of religion.
Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Ethics challenges the students to think about complex issues, and encourages listening to and appreciating opposing and often contradictory views. Students are exposed to perspectives that are nuanced and require a dedicated mind to apply understanding. It is a challenging and valuable subject, which has significant implications for how our students engage with the wider world, particularly the convoluted nature of the so-called culture wars, creating space for them to grow in much needed empathy.
Rev. Dr E Pillar, Community Governor