Religious Studies
This highly practical course explores ways of making Religious Studies interesting and relevant to pupils within the 11-18 age range.
World religions, from Christianity to Buddhism are explored in the course as living faiths. This is done through visits to faith communities, through debate and discussion and through micro-teaching activities where trainees can pass on to each other their own areas of expertise. Practical activities range from learning to use worksheets, computers, displays and video in the classroom to imaginative activities like creating role plays, simulations and drama.
Careful attention is paid to GCSE and A Level teaching strategies and to the current debate about attainment and assessment in Religious Studies. Classroom teachers are involved at all stages of the course and act as mentors to trainees within their school placements.
The college has strong links with education agencies in Leicester's multi-cultural communities and an annual weekend visit to largely Asian communities there forms a popular and very instructive part of this course.
Other visits include Jewish and Buddhist communities in London and Cambridge and work with Ely Cathedral and the Fitzwilliam museum.
Candidates for entry need good degree qualifications in the study of world religions, including, though not necessarily exclusively, Christianity. Some opportunities exist for entry for suitably qualified graduates in other disciplines if they can prove both the motivation and the ability to gain the required subject knowledge at or before entry to the course.
When inspected by OFSTED, in 2002, the course was awarded grade 1 awards, and described as "very good with many outstanding features." As such, it is regarded as one of the most outstanding courses in the country.