As part of the Religious Studies GCSE course, the Religious Studies Department at Highclare Senior School has arranged for a series of innovative speakers on world issues that are linked to the Moral and Ethical side of the GCSE syllabus.
All students are made aware that these viewpoints have a bias and are encouraged to question them about this as part of the development of their own understanding and appreciation of other viewpoints, which is a necessary part of the Religious Studies course.
Tuesday 3 March 2020
A guest speaker Dr Philip Bickley from AnimalAid gave a one-hour presentation from an ethical viewpoint about use of animals for experiments. During his presentation he explained to the group about what animals are used in experiments, why they use them and why in his opinion it is unethical and unnecessary. It certainly gave the group something to think about and reflect on their own values.
Friday 6 March 2020
A charity called Solutions Not Sides hosted a one-hour workshop to tackle Antisemitism, Anti-Muslim Hate and polarisation around the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the UK. We were lucky to have two special guest speakers explaining their own personal experiences of both sides of the conflict, from Palestine and Israel. In order for students to appreciate a two-sided viewpoint of the conflict. The workshop aimed to focus on possible solutions based on understanding both sides’ narratives. The aim being to shift attitudes away from supporting one side against the other, and towards seeking a solution for the human beings involved.
Friday 13 March 2020
A charity called SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) will be giving a presentation to the group on their ethical viewpoints surrounding abortion and why they oppose abortion on both ethical grounds and from a religious viewpoint.
Further talks are being planned from a Humanist speaker and from LIFE on euthanasia.
