RMPS allows you to develop your thinking ability in order to engage, in a meaningful way, with the wider-world. The world has become a complicated place to be; we face a variety of challenges every day and we should be equipped to engage with the issues.
In RMPS, pupils can question, think about and discuss their own beliefs about life and the world that we live in. We are keen for pupils to develop skills in critical and analytical thinking, together with philosophical questioning.
We introduce pupils to the major world religions, non-religious thought and other world views in order for them to manifest informed opinions. We also endeavour to cultivate a respect in our pupils for others, the world which we live in and themselves.
We hope that through studying RMPS, our pupils will be better equipped to live within our multicultural society. In the RMPS department we also expect pupils to display our school values: Participation, Respect, Inclusion, Determination and Excellence.
Pupils who study RMPS often go on to have careers in:
Broad General Education (BGE)
S1
Our courses in S1 have been developed to fulfil the experiences and outcomes for a Curriculum for Excellence by focusing on compassion, integrity, wisdom and justice. These values will permeate all of the topics, which include:
Pupils develop critical thinking and discussion skills, along with having the opportunity to be creative and develop their own informed opinions.
S2
In S2, all students study how religion and belief has an impact on society and how people turn their beliefs into actions. Pupils will build on knowledge from S1 and study the lives of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Pupils also study their own rights and the rights of others. This unit supports our whole school initiative as a ‘Rights Respecting’ secondary school.
Pupils continue to develop critical thinking and discussion skills, along with having the opportunity to be creative and develop their own informed opinions. There is an additional focus on developing literacy skills, particularly extend, formal writing.
S3
In S3 core pupils take part in the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Scotland programme. The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is an active citizenship programme which empowers pupils to make a difference in their local communities while developing a host of skills. Our S3 pupils are then responsible for directing a £3000 YPI grant to a local charity through a unique programme of teamwork, research and competition.
Assessment information
Assessment is ongoing through each topic. In S1, a variety of formative assessment procedures take place. These include; observation of participation in whole class discussions, peer and self-assessment using rubrics, storyboards, cooperative learning, mind maps, poster work and visible learning to ensure pupils are leading their own learning. In S2, assessment takes a similar format.
At all times, we encourage pupils to be reflective on the work they produce and feedback given to pupils will clearly indicate “next steps” to follow. We also encourage pupils to demonstrate the PRIDE values of Penicuik High School in all aspects of their work.
In conjunction with their involvement in the YPI programme, S3 pupils work towards gaining an SQA Religion, Belief and Values Award at either Level 4 or Level 5. This award helps pupils to deepen their knowledge and understanding of how religion and values can shape and contribute to the lives of individuals and communities.
This SQA award encourages pupils to explore and reflect on their personal faith or values, and to deepen their understanding of this through practical engagement in our local community. This qualification will be awarded to pupils alongside their other SQA qualification gained at the end of S4.
Senior Phase
S4 – National 4 and 5
Unit 1 World Religion: Islam
Pupils study Islam and its impact, relevance and significance through studying some key beliefs and practices found in this major world religion, and the contribution these make to the lives of Muslims.
Unit 2 Morality and Belief: Morality, Medicine and the Human Body
Candidates study moral issues and their background, implications and responses through studying one major moral issue and responses to it.
The Morality, Medicine and the Human Body Unit includes studying:
Unit 3 Religious and Philosophical Questions: The Existence of God
Pupils study the issues raised by the existence of God debate. Pupils will focus on the question “does God exist?” and analyse/evaluate the various religious, philosophical and non-religious responses to this question.
Added Value Unit/Assignment
The Assignment is 25% of the overall award at National 5. A version of this is also a requirement for National 4 (referred to as the Added Value Unit).
The student is required to identify an issue that is related to religion, morality, philosophy or a combination of these. There is a degree of personalisation and choice in this process.
The student must then undertake research into this issue with some guidance from departmental staff. The SQA set out the requirements as:
For students sitting National 4 a project meeting the above requirements would need to be submitted. This could take a variety of different forms.
For National 5 students a formal essay based on their research needs to be completed under exam conditions. Students are permitted to have 200 words of prepared notes with them aid them in this task.
Some students chose issues related to the other units in the course at Penicuik High School, such as the right to die, the use of human embryos or the existence of God. Others have chosen to do other topics that interest them. Among the variety of issues from recent years have been war, capital punishment, same-sex marriage, abortion.
National 5 Exam
One question paper assessing the 3 units above, across 3 sections, for a total of 80 marks. Each section will have 4-7 questions, each question ranging from 4-8 marks in total. Pupils will have 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete all 3 sections.
Recommended entry and Progression
Entry to this course is at the discretion of Miss Lyon (Principal Teacher).
Pupils should have achieved the fourth curriculum level or the National 4 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies course or equivalent qualifications prior to starting the National 5 course.
Once a pupil has completed the National 5 course they can progress onto Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies.
S5/6 – National 5 and Higher
Unit 1 World Religion: Islam
Pupils study Islam and its impact, relevance and significance through studying some key beliefs and practices found in this major world religion, and the contribution these make to the lives of Muslims.
Unit 2 Morality and Belief: Morality and Relationships
Candidates study moral issues and their background, implications and responses through studying one major moral issue and responses to it.
The Morality and Relationships Unit includes the study of:
Unit 3 Religious and Philosophical Questions: The Existence of God
Pupils study the issues raised by the existence of God debate. Pupils will focus on the question “does God exist?” and analyse/evaluate the various religious, philosophical and non-religious responses to this question.
Higher Assignment
The Assignment is made up of 30 of the 110 marks for Higher RMPS (27%). The end product of the Assignment process is an essay written under exam conditions in 1 ½ hours. As part of the Assignment students are permitted to have prepared notes not exceeding 250 words.
In the essay the student is required to fulfil the following requirements.
Knowledge and understanding:
Analysis:
Evaluation:
For Higher students a formal essay based on their research needs to be completed under exam conditions. Students are permitted to have 250 words of prepared notes with them aid them in this task.
Some students chose issues related to the other units in the course at Penicuik High School, such as the right to die, the use of human embryos or the existence of God. Others have chosen to do other topics that interest them. Among the variety of issues from recent years have been war, capital punishment, same-sex marriage, abortion.
Higher Exam
The Higher exam consists of two question papers. Question paper 1 assesses the world religion and morality and belief units. This paper has two 10 mark and two 20 mark essays questions for pupils to respond to. Paper 1 is 2 hours and 15 minutes. Question paper 2 assesses the religious and philosophical questions unit. This paper has one 20 mark essay question for pupils to respond to. Paper 2 is 45 minutes.
Recommended entry Progression
Entry to this course is at the discretion of Miss Lyon (Principal Teacher)
Pupils who would like to study National 5 RMPS in S5/6 should have achieved the fourth curriculum level or the National 4 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies course or equivalent qualifications prior to starting the National 5 course.
Once a pupil has completed the National 5 course they can progress onto Higher Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies.
Pupils who would like to study Higher RMPS in S5/6 should have achieved an A-C pass for the National 5 Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies course or equivalent qualifications prior to starting the Higher course.
Core RME in the Senior Phase
Pupils engage with core RME lessons throughout their senior phase at Penicuik High School. We aim to cover a variety of units with pupils. In recent years these units has consisted of:
Extracurricular opportunities
Miss Graham leads our school’s LGBT+Allies Group. Last session this group continued to hold a strong presence within the school community with attendance numbers increasing. Feedback from pupils who attend this group is positive; many commenting on the group making them feel safe and included. There have also been a number of pupils now ‘coming out’ with regards to sexuality and gender – they feel there is a secure, inclusive environment for this to happen.
The group also hosted an extracurricular film showing for all staff and pupils. We received a positive responses to this event. The group also ran a Twilight CLPL Session for teaching and support staff. Pupils also attended Edinburgh PRIDE in June.
Members of the RMPS Department
Laura Graham – Principal Teacher
Hollie Lyon
Shannon MacDonald
