We aim to equip all students to think for themselves as they study philosophical, theological and moral issues. We encourage them to be open-minded to other points of view and to identify and challenge misconceptions and prejudice. By building our curriculum around the key elements of the locally agreed syllabus, students will be more aware of the communities in which they live and how they can contribute positively to them. The Religious Education curriculum is planned to enable all students to cumulatively develop skills.
Knowledge and understanding
Engagement and response
Analysis and evaluation
Staff use collaborative planning to ensure all pupils receive the same learning experience, this is implemented through the planning of high quality lessons that are shared with other staff. Staff have regular access to professional development/training to ensure that curriculum requirements are met and subject knowledge developed. Curriculum resources are selected carefully and reviewed regularly. Assessments are designed thoughtfully to assess retrieval practice, apply knowledge and explore key areas. A key focus for our assessments in RE is also to develop evaluative skills that enable students to both express and provide justification for their own views and beliefs. The assessments are designed to build their skills set, so they are equipped for the challenges of GCSE level study.
The content at KS3 is taught in a logical order, systematically and explicitly, the curriculum also has a strong emphasis on inclusivity. Students are taught a variety of Eastern Religions in Year 7 follow a chronological order so that students can draw on the key similarities found in different faiths and the possibility of religious views stemming from one another. In Year 9, pupils are faced with a variety of thematic studies concerning Philosophy and Ethics in the modern world. Examples of this include social justice, the environment, human rights and conflict.
The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:
•develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism
•develop their knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings, and sources of wisdom and authority, including through their reading of key religious texts, other texts, and scriptures of the religions they are studying
•develop their ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject
•engage with questions of belief, value, meaning, purpose, truth, and their influence on human life
•reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and will contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and global community
•demonstrate knowledge and understanding of two religions
•demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts, where appropriate, which support contemporary religious faith
•understand the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies
•understand significant common and divergent views between and/or within religions and beliefs
•apply knowledge and understanding in order to analyse questions related to religious beliefs and values
•construct well-informed and balanced arguments on matters concerned with religious beliefs and values