Student Development Faculty

Citizenship

In PSHE students learn about Sexual Health and Relationships as well as Substance abuse. In Citizenship topics such as The Law, Crime and Punishment, Media, Britain a multicultural society, Government and the European Union are covered.

Lessons are engaging and are both teacher and student led. Speakers are invited to facilitate some lessons and trips to Havering College, Romford Magistrates Courts and Parliament are organised annually.

GCSE Citizenship students must complete two Active Citizenship Campaigns. Some of the campaigns that was done in the past include; Healthy Schools, Fair Trade and International Day.

The department has an interactive white board, camera and video recorder.

The exam board used is OCR and both the short and full course is offered.

Religious Education

As R.E. teachers we walk a tightrope between engagement and objectivity. We have to see faiths as an outsider would view them but retain the ability to make judgement as to what will benefit students at Redden Court, creating the best possibilities for personal growth.

The R.E. department has grown in leaps and bounds since 2002. It still remains a popular option for Students sitting GCSE at KS4, although not included in the Ebacc. In 2007 RCS was the first secondary school to receive the Michael Edwards award for the most innovative teaching and learning in Havering. May it long continue along this vein?

R.E. is an academic field of study that examines the secular beliefs, behaviours and institutions. It contributes to student’s wider development including SMSC and also SEAL. It also enables students to explore contentious issues, develop an opinion whilst still respecting others viewpoints. Students are given the opportunity to carry forward they own personal search for what is true and what is good.

Our aim as a department is to make R.E. accessible to all students of faith and secular stances. We also aim to enable students to develop positive attitudes to learning and the beliefs of others. We want them to also should develop self-awareness, respect for all, open-mindedness, appreciation and wonder. Another aim is to engage them in argument and thought –provoking activities thereby learning to disagree respectfully.  Lastly to ensure students are prepared for this world by creating a high quality learning environment with a positive contribution to society.

While the KS3 students, (Years 7 and 8) attempt to answer the big questions in life like, ‘Why are we here?’ or ‘where do we go when we die?’ GCSE KS4 concentrates on human rights, moral decisions, genetic engineering, war and peace, justice, bullying and attitudes to drugs and alcohol. It helps students to think through the big issues in life and helps to remove ignorance that causes prejudice, hatred and violence. It also serves to protect them from indoctrination.