Welcome to the Cyfarthfa High School Religious Education Department

The teaching of Religious Education is subject to the statutory regulations of the 1944 and 1988 parliamentary acts, which insist that all pupils should receive religious education except where withdrawn by parental consent. Religious Education is a core subject that forms an essential part of the curriculum.

What is Religious Education really about?

There is a significant misconception that Religious Education is a subject that seeks to impart religious knowledge in the hope of conversion. This is an age old misconception and misunderstanding of the true worth and purpose of this subject. Religious Education is a subject that provides pupils with an ability to make sense of their own world through the understanding of religious practice and faith. Given proper time, resources and taught effective, Religious Education is the heart of the educational process and it is an invaluable tool that enables the growth, development and maturing of a child’s own spirituality.

Why is Religious Education Important?

• It makes a significant contribution to the spiritual and moral development of the pupil.
• By its very nature Religious Education deals with moral issues and therefore helps impart the skills and attitudes necessary to make mature judgements.
• Pupils are equipped to understand and appreciate the cultural heritage of where they live.
• Pupils are given access to information and beliefs surrounding fundamental questions and ensuring challenging thinking.
• By the gaining of religious understanding of numerous world faiths pupils are better placed to show acceptance and tolerance of others.
• It teaches the value of difference.
• Provides pupils with positive attitudes about the self.
• Pupils develop a variety of skills they will use throughout their everyday life.

Meet the staff and what do they do?

Mrs S Henderson – Head of Department. Mrs Henderson teaches across the key stages.

Miss L Clements – Second in Department. Full time teacher of Religious Education across all key stages.

Mrs N Bowden – Mrs Bowden is a full time teacher of RE across all key stages. Mrs Bowden is also Assistant Head of Year 9.

Miss S Overbury – Head of Personal Social Education. Miss Overbury also teaches compulsory Religious Education at key stage 4.

Miss J Lewis - Teacher of RE across all Key Stages.

Mrs T Davies - Teacher of English. Teaching Key Stage 4 compulsory RE.

Mr M Dorricott - Second in History. Teaching Key Stage 3 Religious Education.