Hordle

Overview of the Department

Hordle Walhampton has a strong Christian tradition that the Religious Studies Department promotes. However, in today’s multi cultural society several other faiths are also taught and the teaching of Religious Studies reflects this throughout the school. With a staff of nine, the Department has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the subject and Religious Studies is taught as separate subject from Year 1. In mixed ability classes, in Year 1 and 2, one lesson per week is allocated while in Years 3 to 8, this is increased to two lessons per week and classes are streamed from Year 6. Many topics and stories are covered during a child’s time at Hordle Walhampton, ranging from studying Christianity through both the Old and the New Testament to studying various world religions in Years 2, 6 and 8. These include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism while Christianity does remain the focal point, particularly as it forms two thirds of the Common Entrance syllabus. Scholarship syllabi vary from senior school to senior school and the Head of Department adapts the curriculum in order to prepare the candidates effectively.

The Religious Studies Department aims to enable pupils to acquire a basic knowledge of a variety of religious faiths that will help them through life and prepare them for any future study of the subject. It also aims to raise pupils’ spiritual and moral awareness and to understand how religion shapes our society and our culture. Finally, it aims to encourage a religious tolerance for the beliefs of others and through this prepare the pupils for the Common Entrance and Scholarship exams that they might take.

The Religious Studies Department sees discussion as vital to the pupils’ development in this subject. The pupils are encouraged to ask questions in order to challenge themselves and to make a sense of who they are and what their beliefs and values are. All sorts of contemporary issues are discussed in depth and this forms the basis of most lessons. Religious artefacts are also used to help the pupils make sense of the world around them and to help them understand the different practices and beliefs that exist. Interactive whiteboard teaching, drama and power point presentations are also used to involve the pupils more in their own learning and to inspire them to think more carefully about a variety of issues.

The Chapel is the heartbeat of school life at Hordle Walhampton and it is a vital part of the pupils’ moral and spiritual development. Every day of the week, except Saturday, some form of worship takes place here with the principal service on a Friday afternoon. A variety of guest speakers come from far and wide to take a service and to enhance the pupils’ understanding of the world.

The Religious Studies Common Entrance and Scholarship results over the past three years have been very impressive with 29% of pupils gaining A grades, 56% achieving A and B grades and 81% gaining A, B and C grades. This reflects how well the children have performed in their external exams and how much they know about the subject. The future of the Religious Studies at Hordle Walhampton is looking very promising.