RELIGIOUS STUDIES
“Be the change that you want to see in the world.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
“If we are to respect others' religions as we would have them to respect our own, a friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
OUR CURRICULUM INTENT
The intent of the RS curriculum is to increase the religious literacy necessary to acquire the cultural capital we wish our students to have.
Religious Studies helps to increase the understanding and awareness of different faiths, as well as provide the opportunity for students to reflect upon the impact different beliefs have on people's lives. Through this, students also develop skills of evaluation and communication both written and verbal.
We believe that Religious Studies gives pupils a vital chance to explore the deepest and most exacting mysteries concerning the purpose and meaning of life as self-conscious beings. The department recognises the diversity of religious belief, in the community and the school, and seeks to treat each belief system on an equal basis creating an atmosphere of tolerance and mutual respect among pupils.
SUBJECT CURRICULUM JOURNEY OVERVIEW
STUDENT LEARNING RESOURCES & GUIDES
The button below will navigate to a series of resources which will support the development of skills and techniques and understanding of the subject.
KS4 EXAM BOARDS
Key Stage 4
At KS4 we follow the EdExcel (Pearson) GCSE Religious Studies specification. This course encourages students to think through some of the most important issues facing us all today, including euthanasia, life after death, the environment, and capital punishment. Students also have the opportunity to learn about Christian and Muslim beliefs and practices. This involves learning about two religions in depth :
Paper 1: Area of Study 1 – Religion and Ethics (Christianity).
50% written exam
This is a written examination lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes. It includes the study of Christian beliefs, Marriage and the Family,Living the Christian Religious Life and Matters of Life and Death.
Paper 2: Area of Study 2 – Religion, Peace and Conflict (Islam).
50% written exam
Students must study Muslim beliefs, Crime and Punishment, Living the Muslim Life and Peace and Conflict.
Year 9 students attending a local Mosque for an Open Day and Exhibition.
Year 10 students attending a revision day at a local secondary school.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES WHOLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM CONTRIBUTION
What are the core skills students develop in our subject?
Religiously literate students able to understand the ways in which religious people make meaning of their lives
Able to critically analyse and evaluate statements of religious or ethical belief
Able to make links between religions and texts
What are the big ideas in our subject?
Does the afterlife provide an answer to evil and suffering?
Do religions promote gender equality?
Do miracles and revelation prove the existence of God?
How do we ensure we support the development of core skills?
We provide a range of developing and challenging sequential learning experiences. We welcome and value the individual response of all students, at every level, and ability. To provide equal educational opportunities to all individuals.
What motivates and interests our students?
We aim to give a varied, exciting and challenging curriculum that encourages an understanding of, as well as an interest in, many religions. We aim to challenge students to express their own beliefs while also gaining the skills necessary to evaluate a range of different opinions and ideas about philosophical questions and the role of religion in the modern world.
How do we ensure consistency across the key stages?
By making sure that all Key Stages are treated as important. Each key stage should link with the learning being filtered down from top to bottom.