Curriculum
Religious Studies
Religious Studies aims to promote religious understanding and appreciation of people from all backgrounds.
Religious Studies equips pupils to meet the circumstances of living in modern society, and become good citizens. It promotes a sympathetic understanding of religions, including both those that are locally represented and those which have been formative in the lives of people in the history of the world.
During our Key Stage 3 curriculum, students will explore an understanding of major world faiths and non-religious worldview such as Humanism, and a study of ethical themes including the understanding of the nature of faith itself and respecting those of all faiths and none.
Students will move onto studying Religious Studies at Key Stage 4 in Years 10 and 11. They will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues. Through Religious Studies, pupils gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to work with abstract ideas. Our GCSE covers a study of belief, values and practices within two major world faiths- Islam and Christianity, as well as four contemporary ethical themes, ensuring students have a diverse choice of intriguing subjects to explore.
Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 3
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
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Pupils will know and understand the origin and sources of religious faith, ways of expression for religious believers and the link to events from the past.
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Pupils will know and understand responses to ‘Big Questions’ through the exploration of theological, philosophical and sociological viewpoints.
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Pupils will know and understand responses to ‘Big Questions’ through the exploration of theological, philosophical and sociological viewpoints.
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Curriculum Overview – Key Stage 4
| Year 10 | Year 11 |
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Pupils will know and understand key religious beliefs and teachings in Islam and Christianity. Pupils will know and understand how Muslims and Christians practice their faith. Pupils will know and understand the plurality of belief and practice within these faith groups. Islam:
Christianity:
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Pupils will know and understand responses to contemporary issues through the exploration of theological, philosophical and sociological viewpoints. Thematic Studies
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Assessment
Internal assessments take place every term.
KS4 Exam Board Specification: AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062)
Enrichment Offer
The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits to places of worship for all major world religions throughout the year. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.
Careers
The study of Religious Studies involves a lot of building of skills including debate, critical thinking and understanding others perspective all of which are vital in the workplace. Examples of Careers related to the study of Religious Studies include:
Religious organisations, National and local government, Civil Service and government agencies, Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Schools, Colleges and Universities, Charities, Voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, Social services and other caring professions, National Health Service (NHS) and Police and Legal professions.
Further Information
For further information about our Religious Studies curriculum offer, please contact Mr R Falloon (Director of Learning for Humanities) using the school contact details.