Spiritual Development

A Catholic Sixth Form

Exploration of Faith is never more important than in the final years of school. Religious Education in the Sixth Form is compulsory for all students. In Year 12 pupils study for the new Edexcel ARCS (Award in Religion and Contemporary Society) and the focus is on human rights. The course is intended to enable students to apply Church teaching to many of the key issues in today’s world.  In Year 12, the focus of study is Human Rights. In Year 13, pupils study Bioethics.

Religious Education in the Sixth Form is compulsory for all students. Lessons will largely take the form of discussion and debate, but there are a number of pupil presentations.

On successful completion of the course, pupils will be presented with the Certificate of Catholic Studies in Year 12 and they will receive the Diploma of Catholic Studies at the end of Year 13. The Diploma comes with the added bonus of 60 UCAS points. As an alternative, pupils can study for AS Religious Studies over two years (see the subject description for details). Lessons will largely take the form of discussions and debate, but there are a number of written assignments. All these assignments are completed in lesson time, therefore not impinging on their other studies.  

The pupils are encouraged to take a leading role in the Chaplaincy of the school. This is seen in our assemblies, morning prayers, services and at special times in the school and Church liturgical calendar. 
Within the framework of a Catholic school, opportunities are presented which allow contribution to the school and wider communities. Many pupils are involved in this aspect of the school participating in fund-raising events, helping the younger pupils in class and organising the Inter-house events. 

The Sixth Form is a very important time in the life of the pupils where they can explore and develop their own moral theology in a safe secure environment. We see the Sixth Form as a critical time of preparation for facing modern society’s demands.

Retreats

As a Catholic school we prize the spiritual development of our pupils as highly as their moral and academic achievements. Taking inspiration from the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert before his denunciation, we encourage all our students to take time-out from their studies. A day retreat, in small groups, allows pupils to think about: who they are; how they experience their faith and what direction they want to go in. The SPEC organisation Speculum Vitae, a mirror of life, based at the Pastoral Centre in London Colney, provides a beautiful location. The day is led by a very special group of young people who know about the conflicts that will face our pupils as part of today’s society. The overall aim is to give each participant the strength and courage to continue their spiritual development, after they leave the confines of this protected environment.