Maricourt is a Roman Catholic school that was established by the Sisters of Mercy to enable pupils to be educated in a caring, Christian environment. While there is no desire to force pupils to accept a particular religious approach to life, the school hopes to make pupils aware of the central role that religion and spiritual matters play in the lives of most people. Through this experience, the school hopes to enable pupils to question their own understanding of life and its values and to gain the necessary groundwork to find answers to the essential questions of life as their life situation changes.

In Years 7, 8 and 9 pupils follow a course recently described as 'outstanding' during an inspection by the local archdiocese. It is shaped by three key questions:

• Identity: Who am I?
• Purpose: Why am I here?
• Fulfilment: Where am I going?

These questions are addressed and explored in the light of the Christian faith, with cross-reference to other religions including Judaism, Islam and Hinduism. In Years 10 and 11 pupils follow a GCSE course, structured by Edexcel. This course consists of two different units: Unit 3 Religion and Life based on Catholic Christianity and Unit 8 Religion and Society Christianity and Islam. The course covers an array of topics including The Existence of God, Matters of Life and Death, Catholic Family Life and Community Cohesion in Year 10. In Year 11 students study Rights and Responsibilities, Environmental and Medical Ethics, Peace and Conflict and Crime and Punishment.

In Years 12 and 13 students have a chance of studying A level Religious Studies. This includes examining the nature of miracles, the role of God in creation, The Design Argument for the existence of God and quantum mechanics and religion. There is also an ethical study based on utilitarianism, situation Ethics, abortion and euthanasia. The A2 components deal with the problem of evil; body, soul and the afterlife; religious language and the ontological argument for the existence of God. There is also a study of the nature and value of life, ideas about the end of time and the importance of the afterlife.

For those students who do not study the A level course, there is a weekly lesson that discusses religious topics like: the nature of religion and ethics, the role of religion in society, human rights, the ethics of work, the afterlife etc.

Why is RE important?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/keep-the-faith-why-religious-education-is-booming-769322.html

How can RE help me in the future?

GCSE Religious Studies is a stepping stone to a wide range of future opportunities.  The skills you develop will support you in further studies and employment.  Many GCSE Religious Studies students go on to study the subject at A Level and degree level at university.  When you enter the world of work, you will be expected to work alongside people with different beliefs to your own. Religious Studies will help you to understand how to work with people of all faiths and cultures.  These skills are important in all careers, especially professions such as the police, teaching, the law, social work, journalism, charity work, the caring professions and the armed forces.

Studying RE gives you important time to reflect on yourself and life but also gives you an opportunity to gain another qualification. What is said of many subjects is definitely true about studying RE: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.