Theology

The Purpose of a Jesuit Catholic Education

Education, derived from the Latin words educere (to draw out) and educare (to train), lies at the heart of Jesuit values, emphasising the pursuit of wisdom. As Catholic educators, our mission is to create opportunities for pupils to fully develop their faculties (Quant Je Puis), engaging both their intellect and will. We aim to cultivate their intellect to seek and understand truth, while guiding their will to love goodness and embody virtue. The Ratio Studiorum (1599) highlights that the ultimate purpose of a Jesuit teacher is “to inspire pupils to love and serve God and to practice virtue.”

The Stonyhurst College Theology department’s motto is ‘In antiquis sapientia’ Job 12:12 (With the Ancients there is Wisdom). It emphasises:

- the timeless truths passed down from ancient thinkers,

- the connection of the study of theology to other intellectual traditions,

- the continuity of knowledge across centuries.

It is through this lens; our goal is for pupils to love God and encounter Jesus Christ.

The Stonyhurst College Theology Department’s Objectives

Our department objectives, guided by the Ratio Studiorum (1599) and the Jesuit Pupil Profile, are to inspire pupils:

- To pursue wisdom.

- To gain a fuller knowledge of Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, by engaging with primary and ancient sources throughout the curriculum.

- To be regularly instructed on recall and memorisation of key ideas and concepts

Enrichment Opportunities in Theology

At Stonyhurst College, the Theology Department offers a rich programme of enrichment opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. These activities are open to pupils across year groups and support our mission to form thoughtful, articulate, and spiritually aware young people.

We believe that Theology should shape not just what students know, but how they think, how they live, and how they seek truth. Our co-curricular offerings reflect this vision.

Philosophy Club

St Andrew’s Ethics Cup

Opera Antiquorum

Latin for “Works of the Ancients”, Opera Antiquorum is a society dedicated to exploring the theological, literary, linguistic, and liturgical treasures of the Catholic tradition. It brings together pupils who share an interest in ancient languages, literature and liturgy. As part of this society, pupils have the opportunity to regularly attend the Traditional Latin Mass, engaging with the Church’s ancient liturgical heritage.

Key Stage 3 (Year 7, 8 and 9)

At Key Stage 3, Theology at Stonyhurst College is guided by the Religious Education Directory (RED), To Know You More Clearly, which provides a clear and structured curriculum rooted in the Catholic faith. Its primary aim is:

“To come to know and understand God’s revelation, which is fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.”

This Directory supports our Jesuit mission to form young people who are not only religiously literate, but also spiritually reflective, ethically grounded, and theologically engaged. Through Theology, pupils gain the knowledge, understanding and skills to live out their faith and apply it to everyday life:

“The objective of the curriculum is religiously literate and engaged young people, with the knowledge, understanding and skills to reflect spiritually, think ethically and theologically, and recognise the demands of religious commitment in everyday life.”

Theology is taught as a rigorous academic subject, occupying a core place in the curriculum. All students throughout Key Stage 3 study Theology six periods a fortnight, allowing them time to engage deeply with core concepts, explore theological questions, and build a secure foundation of faith and reason.

Pupils explore the key beliefs, practices and moral teachings of the Catholic faith whilst also being encouraged to read Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and from the wisdom of ancient writers.

Our KS3 programme follows the RED’s six thematic “branches,” which are revisited and deepened each year:

1. Creation & Covenant – God’s relationship with His people

2. Prophecy & Promise – The call to justice and the hope of salvation

3. Galilee to Jerusalem – The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus

4. Desert to Garden – Liturgy, prayer, and the Church’s seasons

5. To the Ends of the Earth – Mission, discipleship, and the Church today

6. Dialogue & Encounter – Engaging with other faiths and worldviews

By the end of KS3, pupils will have built a solid foundation in Catholic theology and will be well-prepared to deepen their understanding further for their next stage in their academic journey.

GCSE (Years 10 & 11)

At Key Stage 4, all students study Theology as a core subject, receiving six periods of teaching per fortnight. We follow the AQA Religious Studies Specification B (8063), which offers a rich and rigorous programme that explores both Catholic theology and ethical themes within a broader religious context.

Our curriculum is structured around two main components:

Component 1 – Roman Catholicism (50%)

This unit explores key Catholic beliefs, teachings, practices, sources of authority, and forms of expression. Students examine six core topics:

· Creation

· Incarnation

· The Triune God

· Redemption

· Church

· Eschatology

This component provides a deep understanding of Catholic theology and its relevance to the lives of believers today.

Component 2 – Perspectives on Faith (50%)

This paper includes two areas of study:

Judaism (25%) – An in-depth look at Jewish beliefs, practices, and traditions.

Themes (25%) – Focused study of two key contemporary issues:

Religion, Relationships and Families
Religion, Peace and Conflict

Together, these components help students critically engage with religious and moral issues in society today.

Assessment

GCSE Theology is assessed through two written examinations, each 1 hour and 45 minutes in length. Each exam accounts for 50% of the final grade. There is no coursework.

Pepils are expected to demonstrate analytical thinking, essay-writing skills, and knowledge of scripture and tradition. We regularly engage with primary and ancient theological sources, including: St. Augustine, St. Irenaeus, St. Thomas Aquinas and The Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Strong Outcomes

Theology is a valued academic subject at Stonyhurst College and GCSE results have traditionally been strong, reflecting our students’ commitment and the high quality of teaching.

This course not only prepares pupils for further study in Theology, Philosophy, or Ethics, but also equips them with critical thinking skills essential for life beyond the classroom.

A level (Sixth Form)

A Level Theology at Stonyhurst College

At Key Stage 5, pupils have the opportunity to study WJEC Eduqas A Level Religious Studies, a challenging and thought-provoking course that explores Christianity, Philosophy, and Ethics through a rigorous academic lens.

In the tradition of a Jesuit education, our approach to KS5 Theology invites students not only to understand theological and philosophical ideas but to engage with them with persuasive clarity.

A Level Theology: WJEC Eduqas Religious Studies

This A Level course is divided into three main components, each given equal weight in assessment:

Philosophy of Religion

Arguments for the existence of God
The nature of religious experience
The problem of evil
Human nature
Religious language and analysis

Religion and Ethics

Key ethical theories (natural law, utilitarianism, etc.)
Application of ethics to real-world issues
Ethical language and reasoning
Freedom and moral responsibility

Christianity

Close study of scriptural texts and interpretation
Theological concepts such as the Trinity, atonement, and the nature of God
Christianity’s dialogue with science, secularism, and society
Social and gender roles within Christian tradition
Christian identity, festivals, and ecumenism

Assessment is by three 2-hour written exams, each worth 33.3% of the final grade. Students are required to explain, evaluate, and analyse complex material, drawing on both primary sources and scholarly perspectives.

Core Theology – Weekly Enrichment for Higher Line

All students in Higher Line participate in Core Theology, a weekly enrichment course designed to deepen their understanding of faith, scripture, and Catholic intellectual tradition. Core Theology is offered over both year in Poetry and Rhetoric:

Poetry

The Reasonableness of Belief in God
The Reasonableness of Belief in Christ
St Mark’s Gospel
Catholic Moral Philosophy

Rhetoric

The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius
St John’s Gospel
The Divine Comedy by Dante

This strand nurtures reflective, articulate, and well-read thinkers, providing spiritual formation alongside academic development.

Why Study Theology at Stonyhurst College at KS5?

Theology at KS5 equips students to:

Think critically and independently
Engage with big questions about existence, meaning, and morality
Develop clarity in written and spoken argument
Prepare for further study in Theology, Philosophy, Law, History, or the Humanities

The course is highly regarded by universities and complements a range of academic pathways.

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Philosophy Club

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Opera Antiquorum

Key Stage 3 (Year 7, 8 and 9)

GCSE (Years 10 & 11)

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