RE and Citizenship are taught alongside each other, to increase understanding of religions and how we live together. At Key Stage 3, students follow a Personal Development curriculum, and at KS 4, the combined topics are taught under the title RESPECT.

GCSE Religious Education is a compulsory subject, which can be taken in two halves, one at the end of Year 10 and the second in Year 11. There is no national syllabus for RE: the school follows the Trafford agreed syllabus which covers all the major religions through a series of themes, like worship. RE is taught in form groups, one hour per week.

In Year 7, students are introduced to religions, faith, fact and belief and holy books. In Year 9, students start the GCSE syllabus. This ensures that they are fully prepared for the exam by the time they take it. Citizenship studies cover what students need to become good citizens. Topics covered include democracy, politics and Parliament, the media, environmental issues, globalisation, war and conflict.

At KS4, there are off-timetable days on democracy and students take part in national activities like Black History Month as well as charity fundraising and fair trade. Some students go into local primary schools on placements in their own time to help pupils there with reading. Students may work towards an activity-based qualification, ASDAN, and the school is piloting the GCSE in Citizenship Studies. 

Trafford Youth for Christ takes lessons with students at Key Stage 3, which contribute towards the spiritual element of the curriculum. Local vicar and School Governor Rev. Heaton visits the school to talk to students about his work.

Clubs and out-of-school activities

Students take up opportunities to contribute to the local community, through placements in local primary schools and charity fundraising. Year 8 and 9 students have taken part in Trafford’s mock trial competition, preparing a fictitious case, playing all the parts in a courtroom setting, and visiting Trafford Magistrates’ Court to compete against other schools.

Head of Department: Mrs Abby Morrissey