Religion & Philosophy

Mrs J H Nickson, BA, CPE (Law) (Head of Department)
Mrs S Pyke, MA

“At last the horizon appears free to us again, even granted that it is not bright; at last our ships may venture out again, venture out to any danger; all the daring of the lover of knowledge is permitted again; the sea, our sea, lies open again; perhaps there has never yet been such an ‘open sea.’” Nietzsche
Cited in “Reasons and Persons,” Derek Parfit, Fellow at All Soul’s College, Oxford.

We believe in encouraging each pupil to find out what this subject area has to offer and to pursue enquiry with enthusiasm and confidence. To that end we offer choice and personal responsibility in learning.

Students wishing to attain a Religious Studies qualification should consult the AQA website. In the Lower Sixth, two modules are studied leading to an AS qualification. In the Upper Sixth a further two modules are studied leading to a full A-level qualification. Supporting text books are advised by the examination board.

Two years ago, we chose to offer the Cambridge Pre-U examination in Philosophy and Theology. This is a linear course offering eighteen months of uninterrupted study with three papers sat at the end of two years. Our first four candidates all attained a distinction in their chosen courses. These included: the Philosophy of Mind; the Philosophy of Language; Epistemology, theories of Knowledge; Ethics and Biblical criticism and exegesis. The full details are set out clearly in the CIE website as is the higher tariff score for studying this demanding examination. We provide a reading list to support studies and encourage the use of websites and You Tube!

The whole group visits Oxford University in the Lower Sixth (Year 12) to participate in the Theology Open Day and next year we hope to include the Politics, Philosophy and Economics Open Day.

We like to teach pupils who think independently, work assiduously and argue convincingly.
It may be that you are reading this and thinking

I speak better than I write,
I am no good when it comes to exams,
I have not done RS GCSE.
None of this thinking matters!
We teach you
How to construct a written argument.
How to memorise successfully,
To start from scratch!

If you are thinking of a career in business, law, medicine, public service, then we may be the department for you! Come and visit us!
Please e mail jhn@yarmschool.org for more information about our Friday evening extra curricula meeting group for Sixth Form pupils: “Oxbridge tea and biscuits.”  

 

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