Religious Education

Head of Department: Miss C Bailey

Intent of the Religious Education Curriculum

Pupils will be introduced to philosophical, religious and ethical study using a wide range of enjoyable and interactive tasks. We explore ‘ultimate’ or philosophical questions through independent thinking and class debate. We analyse the six main world religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhi, Hindu Dharma and Buddhism. In lessons, pupils will reflect on the beliefs, teachings and practices of these religions. We assess what it means to be ‘ethical’ and how we all, as human beings, try to make the right decisions when faced with moral dilemmas in life.

The curriculum intends to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of worldviews, religious traditions and non-religious worldviews. The curriculum aims for pupils to be able to know more, remember more and do more. Pupils will learn how religious identity influences people’s lives. Pupils are encouraged to consider and express their own opinions about the value and nature of religion, for both people and our planet. It is the aim of the Religious Education curriculum at Hartshill that pupils will develop their skills of listening, oracy, enquiry, analysis and evaluation.

Religious Education is a highly regarded academic subject. It is traditional enough to be highly respected by employers and Universities, but modern enough to engage with people of any age - the content is relevant to everyone.

Transferable skills:

Critical and analytical thinking skills
An ability to interpret information, formulate questions and solve problems
Personal reflection
Discursive and persuasive writing
The ability to express complex ideas
Research and presentation skills

Key Stage 3 Curriculum Ladder Key Stage 4 Curriculum Ladder

Assessment

Lessons include knowledge retrieval questions to assess prior learning. Lessons also involve the active use of mini whiteboards to check for understanding, to provide real time feedback and to deal with misconceptions quickly. Additionally, pupils will complete independent direct practice questions in lessons, to allow them to demonstrate as well as consolidate their learning in each lesson. Pupils will complete written assessments during the academic year where they will be given teacher feedback on how to improve.

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Pupils begin by exploring the origins of the Abrahamic faiths. We then explore the oldest of the Abrahamic religions: Judaism. This allows students to deepen their understanding of Judaism as a religion, but also as the foundation of Christianity. Pupils will study Christianity once they have completed their exploration of Judaism.

Year 8

Pupils begin this year by studying the final Abrahamic faith: Islam. They will study its origins, rich history, the beliefs and practices of Muslims, and finally an analysis of what it means to be Muslim in today’s world. Pupils will then study philosophy of religion, exploring themes such as: is there a God? If so, what is God like? We explore theism, atheism and agnosticism. Pupils will consider the Design and Cosmological Argument, as well as the problem of evil and religious experience. Pupils will finish the year exploring the vibrant and fascinating way of life of Hindu Dharma.

Year 9

Pupils begin by studying a topic called ‘Introduction to Ethics’, during this topic, pupils explore how different people make their ethical decisions. By analysing thought provoking hypothetical moral quandaries pupils will begin to evaluate how they make their own moral choices as well as how varying philosophers believe one should try to work out the best course of action in any given situation. In the next unit, pupils will the explore how religion and beliefs have an impact on numerous aspects of modern society, such as the law, media, education, sport, music etc. Following this, pupils will apply their knowledge to different ethical topics that have troubled mankind for centuries such as capital punishment and the treatment of animals. Finally, pupils will study a topic called ‘Philosophy of the modern self’. Pupils will explore a variation of philosophical concepts and examine issues such as; how was the world created? Is there such a thing as ‘evil’, and if there is, why?, should we embrace AI, or are their moral issues with it?

Key Stage 4

Pupils can opt to study Religious Studies at GCSE. We study the EDUQAS Route A course.

GCSE Religious Studies is split in to three components:

Component 1: Religious, Philosophical and Ethical studies in the modern world:

50% of GCSE grade, assessed via a 2-hour exam.
In this unit pupils will study four topics: Issues of relationships, Issues of life and death, Issues of Good and Evil and finally Issues of Human Rights.

Component 2: Study of Christianity:

25% of GCSE Grade, assessed via a 1-hour exam.
In this unit pupils will explore the beliefs, teaching and practices of Christianity.

Component 3: Study of Islam:

25% of GCSE grade, assessed via a 1-hour exam
In this unit pupils will explore the beliefs, teaching and practices of Islam.

Learning

Religious Education

Intent of the Religious Education Curriculum

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