RELIGIOUS
EDUCATION
Why study Religious Education?
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. Students 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 develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills.
How will I study Religious Education?
Religious Education provokes challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong, and what it means to be human. Students are given regular opportunities for reflection, discussion and debate. Students know and understand a range of religions and worldviews, so that they can recognise, appreciate and appraise the nature, significance and impact of different ways of life and ways of expressing meanings. This allows them to identify, investigate and respond to questions posed and responses offered by some of the sources of wisdom found in religions and worldviews. This allows students to express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and teachings about identity, diversity, meaning and value, including ethical issues.
What will I study at Key Stage 3?
In Key Stage 3 students study 4 main world faiths. They begin with the study of the beliefs and practices of Judaism. This includes what it means to be the ‘chosen people’ and how Jewish holy days remind adherents of their faith. Students move onto study the beliefs and practices of Christianity. This includes the church and beliefs that are central to the Christian faith. It also looks at who Jesus is, both the Christian and non-religious response. This unit also explores faith and justice and how, according to the Christian faith, we should treat ‘our neighbours’, and make moral decisions. As they move into Year 8 students study the beliefs and practices of Islam. This includes how the Qur’an and Hadith guide Muslim life and, what matters most in Islam. This unit explores what ‘belonging’ means to a young Muslim in the UK. As they progress into Year 9 students study the beliefs and practices of Buddhism. They explore what is the purpose of life, the Four Noble Truths, and what matters in the journey of life. Students also consider what Buddhists might learn through celebrating festivals The Religious Education curriculum also covers non-religious worldviews. Students explore what do we mean by religion and worldviews, how faith inspires people, and religion and its relevance in the 21st century.
What will I study at Key Stage 4?
Students study the beliefs and practices of Islam and Christianity in further depth for each religion. The curriculum then takes a more thematic approach across the two religions and non-religious worldviews. Students explore matters of life and death such as the origins of the universe and the origins of humanity. This thematic approach continues by looking at crime and punishment. Students study lawbreakers and types of crime, attitudes to suffering, and forgiveness. Students go onto study Family and relationships. This includes marriage, relations outside of marriage, and same sex relationships. When studying Human Rights students explore social justice. This includes poverty, wealth and charity, gambling, prejudice and discrimination. The curriculum also covers peace and conflict. This looks at violent and non-violent protest, war and pacifism.
Enrichment
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. These include visits to explore places of worship of all faiths. Students are committed to charity fundraising events to support their community and beyond. There is also an active Food Bank Club cooking 300 hot meals monthly for those suffering from food poverty in the local area.
Careers
The study of Religious Education and Philosophy can lead to careers ranging from charity fundraiser, mediator, and youth worker to equality, diversion and inclusion officer, Chaplain and editorial assistant.
Famous people who studied Religious Education and Philosophy include Bill Clinton (former US President), Christy Turlington (model and businesswoman), David Cameron (former UK Prime Minister), and Martin Luther King Jr (Civil Rights leader).
Useful Resources and Revision Support