Religion and Philosophy

We aim to enable students to consider the question ‘who am I?' in the broadest possible sense.

The subject is about exploring the self and beyond the self.

‘Know thyself' (Socrates)

Education enables us to obtain the understanding and skills needed to discover and then effectively fulfil our function in broader society and ensure material survival for the self. But surely education should give us far more than this. Stimulation and progression through the acquisition of empirical knowledge is crucial; but so is a dedication to philosophy - exploring the wonders of meaning and purpose, and the beauty of a transcendent consciousness we occasionally glimpse in those rare moments of life where we move beyond ourselves. Religion and Philosophy is the complete subject; it envelopes all else by pulling whatever it may be towards an end, giving us a knowledge which embraces the knowable as well as the unknowable and offering a vision of human flourishing with a purposeful approach to living and working. Education can so easily miss everything that matters!

‘Good education is not just about producing economically effective ‘units' that will be of service to their nation and economy' (Vardy)

Religion and Philosophy is a demanding and immensely rewarding subject. Students learn to think for themselves and support their opinions with clear reasoning. All students are encouraged to be fully involved in discussions and debates; it is always a pleasure to watch students grow in confidence and passion. Students learn to think critically and analyse logical arguments. Much attention is paid to improving students' evaluative skills so that they are able to present their own coherent, persuasive arguments which arrive at well-informed judgments. They are encouraged to discover and be prepared to challenge all that limits free-thinking and genuine identity. We want our students to encounter non-contingent sources of moral authority and consider the nature, value and origin of the courage needed if we are to obey these sources above all else.