Religious Studies

Religious Studies are an important part of the education at St Hugh’s. Independent schools rely on prep schools to provide background knowledge about the Bible and the basic tenets of other faiths.

We aim to:

• Enable pupils to explore and reflect on religious and spiritual beliefs and practices.
• Enhance pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural and social development as they learn both about and from religion.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the Bible.
• Introduce pupils to Christianity as part of their cultural heritage.
• Develop awareness of other world faiths and to study at least two in depth.
• Develop study skills such as analysis, summary and effective communication of ideas.
• Encourage pupils to listen to each other’s opinions and reflect on some of the big questions in life as they are raised in what they study.
• Foster interest in religious issues.
• Make the curriculum accessible to children with special educational needs.

The way the syllabus is run throughout the school allows children to build on knowledge and skills they acquire year by year. In Pre-Prep, children learn about the key Christian festivals in lessons, regular department and class assemblies and special celebration days.  Formal assemblies are held with the Middle School at the end of each term to celebrate Advent, Easter and the end of the school year. Every child participates in the Nativity Play each Christmas. The children are encouraged to show respect and awareness for other religions through exploration of festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New Year.  The children are taught to appreciate different views and opinions by participating in discussions, circle times and dramatic role play.

In Middle and Upper School this kind of thinking is developed as children take a closer look at the Bible, both historically and theologically, and study a major world religion.

A major part of Religious Studies involves pupils thinking about contemporary issues and considering their responses to them in the light of religious teaching. Much of this work is done through discussion but they are also required to write essays based on their own research.