RME

Welcome to Mearns Academy RME Department

Our main aim is to provide everything our learners need to become individuals who understand and care about the world and its people. Our role is not to tell them what to believe, but to encourage them to analyse and evaluate all kinds of beliefs and views and increase their understanding. We are constantly encouraging them to develop their own opinions and ideas, with robust and thoughtful reasons. 

Broad General Education

RME is a compulsory subject in S1, S2 and S3.

S1 Topics:


S2 Topics:


S3  Topics:

SQA RME Award –Religion, Beliefs & Values


This open-ended qualification allows maximum freedom of choice for every pupil, choosing their own topic, approach to research, method of presentation, and even level of work. Topics have ranged from teenage issues such as self-harm and depression to global issues such as nuclear power, pollution and terrorism. 

The award also requires pupils to think about a practical action that will benefit others – at Mearns we do this section through the S3 Equalities Fair, where pupils research their issue and create a stall to raise awareness and sometimes raise money for a charity.  

This award is available at SCQF levels 3, 4, 5 and 6, which is the equivalent of a Higher piece of work. This makes the Award excellent preparation for the senior phase. 

Senior Phase - N5, Higher and Advanced Higher 

In the senior phase, RME becomes RMPS – Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies 

N5: 


In National 5 RMPS, pupils will investigate key Christian beliefs, practices and sources. They will investigate marriage, gender, family and sexuality as well as contemporary viewpoints. Finally, pupils will investigate the issue of miracles – religious examples and scientific explanations. 


Higher: 


Higher RMPS allows pupils to stretch their knowledge to a deeper level. Pupils will develop in-depth factual and abstract knowledge of Buddhism and the lives of Buddhists. Pupils will investigate medical practices, always reflecting on the ethical concerns. Lastly, pupils will develop skills to analyse religious and philosophical questions such as faith, reason, creation and science to do with the Big Bang and evolution. 

Extra-Curricular Clubs

S3 Extra-Curricular 

Child Rights Student Group – The students meet at time that suits the group. They prepare assemblies, displays, tutor time tasks etc, as suggested by the students themselves. 

Child Rights Group Leading Assembly - World Children's Day

S3 Equalities Fair 

Pathways & Career Links

All RMPS qualifications – relevant for any university or college application, with particular links to social subjects and areas of medicine and law. 

RMPS is also relevant for any careers that involve working with people and being sensitive to different situations. 

Questions for PT, answered by Mrs McGillivray

Why do you enjoy teaching your subject?


Why should pupils choose to study RMPS?

“It’s great for any job where you work with people. It makes you more empathetic and understanding. It also sharpens your thinking and helps you cut through any rubbish.”

“I don’t think we are better, but I think we are unique. I never want to think I’ve got it sussed. You have to keep changing things up and learning. And I think my interest in equality issues will only grow.”


Pupil Responses

“The topics are so interesting, especially medical ethics, and it’s nothing like you would get in any other subject. I’m glad I took it.”

“I liked that we got to choose our own topics. I think it made me actually want to do the work. We could choose things that we liked or that interested us, which made it way more enjoyable than reading textbooks and things like that.”

S3 Equalities Fair

S1-S2 Classwork

S3 Equalities Fair