Religious Education
For an overview of the pathways through the curriculum, please see our information page here.
Welcome to the Religious Education Department
Our Vision
The RE curriculum is based around the locally agreed syllabus “Living Difference”. This seeks to promote religious, social and racial harmony through respect for difference and diversity. By ensuring that students enquire into, understand and are able to recognise the importance of key concepts within a multi-cultural and multi faith society, they will be able to play an active part in starting to shape the future direction of society.
They will be able to communicate effectively, negotiate rights and responsibilities and recognise the importance of taking into account the needs of others in working towards common goals and values, and a shared sense of citizenship. At the same time, this respect for diversity is encouraged through the understanding that we are all different and this is a strength not a weakness of being British.
Curriculum
KS3
Year 7
What new skills will I be learning?
In RE we have a methodology which we follow in the form of a learning cycle. It follows the following cycle;
Concept
- Each lesson will follow a concept.
- The word concept means an important idea
Enquire
- First I ask, What does this idea mean?
- Can I guess, think about it or speculate?
Contextualise
- Then I look at where this idea fits into what I am studying.
Evaluate
- Now I get to give my opinion.
Communicate
- Then I ask what this idea has to offer me.
Apply
- Finally I try and apply this idea to other situations.
In Year 7, you will study…
Autumn Term
Introduction to R.E
What is RE? What is a religion? What are the essential ingredients of a religion? What are the six world religions?
The Island
Students are introduced to the concepts of survival when they imagine that they have been on a luxury cruise liner which has run aground onto a deserted island. They learn about community, the need for laws, rites of passage, remembrance and the sacred. This helps them understand how communities develop and the origins of religion.
Spring Term
Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? – What is the difference between fact and belief? Was Jesus a real person? What do different people believe and what do you believe about Jesus?
Jesus’ vision
What do Christians believe about Jesus? What are the bible stories and teachings? The Golden Rule – treat people in the way you want to be treated. The parable of the Good Samaritan – love your neighbour.
Summer Term
The Muslim Vision of Life.
Students investigate what Muslims believe and what Islam teaches. They compare the teachings of the religion with coverage in the media and question are all people who claim to be Muslim actually following the teachings of the Qur’an.
Life in The Gambia.
Students learn about The Gambia and look at what life is like living in a developing country. What are the beliefs and culture? Religion in real life; 80% of Gambians are Muslim. Are all Muslims the same? How do Gambian Muslims put their beliefs into practise?
You will also need to complete regular independent learning tasks.
Year 8
What new skills will I be learning?
In RE we have a methodology which we follow in the form of a learning cycle. It follows the following cycle;
Concept
- Each lesson will follow a concept.
- The word concept means an important idea
Enquire
- First I ask, What does this idea mean?
- Can I guess, think about it or speculate?
Contextualise
- Then I look at where this idea fits into what I am studying.
Evaluate
- Now I get to give my opinion.
Communicate
- Then I ask what this idea has to offer me.
Apply
- Finally I try and apply this idea to other situations.
In Year 8, you will study…
Autumn Term
The Jewish Vision of Life – What is the covenant? What do Jews believe and how do their beliefs affect their lifestyle? Are all Jews the same?
Covenant; Kosher; Mitzvah
The Holocaust – Students learn about the events of the Holocaust and the impact this had on the Jews at the time and today. They develop skills of empathy and are challenged to think about why the Jews, what would they have done if they had been there. Could it happen again?
A Jewish Family Story; Genocide today
Spring Term
The Buddhist Vision of Life – Who was the Buddha and what did he teach? Is Buddhism actually a religion? Does Buddhism have anything to offer such as meditation? Is it possible to live without violence?
Dukkha; Anicca; Anatta; Karma; Nirvana; Enlightenment and the Eightfold Path
Wealth and Poverty – Students investigate why there is poverty in today’s world. They discuss their views and consider who has responsibility. They compare the work of charities and learn about Fair Trade.
The North-South Divide; Absolute poverty; Responsibility; Charity
Summer Term
Faith and Football – Is football a new religion? How does football and football fanatics compare to religion and religious followers? Does football take the place of religion in some people’s lives; giving them a sense of belonging, identity, purpose and something to worship?
Is Religion changing and will it survive? – How has religion and religious beliefs changed in our modern world? Is religion still relevant or is it out dated? We investigate some modern faiths and cults. Students decide whether religion has a future in our world.
Cults; The changing nature of religion; Football
You will also need to complete regular independent learning tasks.
KS4
Year 9
In RE we have a methodology which we follow in the form of a learning cycle. It follows the following cycle;
Concept
- Each lesson will follow a concept.
- The word concept means an important idea
Enquire
- First I ask, What does this idea mean?
- Can I guess, think about it or speculate?
Contextualise
- Then I look at where this idea fits into what I am studying.
Evaluate
- Now I get to give my opinion.
Communicate
- Then I ask what this idea has to offer me.
Apply
- Finally I try and apply this idea to other situations.
In Year 9, you will study…
Autumn Term
Morality and Ethics
This unit explores what is right and wrong. It helps students explore whether religion is a positive or negative influence on the world. We look at the English Riots in 2011 as an example of how people made choices between right and wrong.
Animal Rights
We investigate the treatment of animals especially as regards to the food industry. The students also review blood sports in particular bull fighting in Europe. Students are also asked to reflect on the religious views on the treatment of animals and decide what their own beliefs are.
Spring Term
Violence and Conflict
This unit explores the causes of conflict between Israelis and the Palestinians. We look at the lives of two boys living in Israel on different sides of the conflict and compare their experiences. We ask if violence is ever right.
Inequality and Sexism
We start by looking at perceptions of gender and gender stereotypes and roles from around the world. Students are asked whether they think women really want to be treated like men. The beliefs and practices within Sikhism of equality are examined.
Summer Term
Life and Death
Students learn about the issues relating to life and death. They are asked to develop their own beliefs about abortion and euthanasia and whether both should be legal or not. We explore the different religious beliefs too.
Belief
Students end the course by looking more closely at what they believe individually and what their values are. They discuss and challenge each other’s views and hopefully develop reasons to support their own ideas as a result.
You will also need to complete regular independent learning tasks.
Year 10
Edexcel UNIT 1: Religion and Life from a Christian and Muslim Perspective.
- Believing in God.
- Matters of Life and Death.
- Marriage and the Family.
- Religion and Social Cohesion.
What revision guides or workbooks are available for this course?
‘Religion and Life for Edexcel Unit 1 Revision Guide (RAL)’ – available from Amazon
‘Religion and Society Revision Guide Third Edition (RAL)’ – available from Amazon
Plus an excellent textbook we use in class:
‘GCSE Religious Studies for Edexcel – Religion and Life and Religion and Society (RAL)’ – available at Amazon
Year 11
Edexcel UNIT 8: Religion and Society from a Christian and Muslim Perspective.
- Rights and Responsibilities.
- Environment and Medical Issues.
- Peace and Conflict.
- Crime and Punishment.
GCSE Exam Assessment
2 Written Exams Year 11 Only
Religion and Life – 90 minutes
Religion and Society – 90 minutes
What revision guides or workbooks are available for this course?
‘Religion and Life for Edexcel Unit 1 Revision Guide (RAL)’ – available from Amazon
‘Religion and Society Revision Guide Third Edition (RAL)’ – available from Amazon
Plus an excellent textbook we use in class:
‘GCSE Religious Studies for Edexcel – Religion and Life and Religion and Society (RAL)’ – available at Amazon