Religious Education

Key Stage 3

This course in designed to fulfil the requirements of the Curriculum Directory for Religious Education.

Y7

The curriculum in Y7 is structured around 4 main themes; Creation, Prophecy, Jesus’ life and teachings as well as Church Mission. Students will study the story of Creation and look at how this contrasts with modern scientific understanding before meeting the early prophets of the Bible and what we learn about Jesus in the Old Testament. As we go into Lent, we will meet Jesus and find out about his early mission and teachings before we learn how his sacrifice has changed the world. Students will complete their programme of study by exploring how the early Christians took Jesus’ teachings to the world. Students will also encounter the beliefs and teachings of Hinduism having the opportunity to experience the rich culture and history of the world’s oldest religion.

Y8

The curriculum in Y8 builds upon the foundations laid down in Y7. Students will study the 4 themes in Y7 in a deeper and more profound way. These are Creation, Prophecy, Jesus’ life and teachings as well as the mission of the Church. Students will be invited to explore some of life’s big questions such as ‘why does evil exist?’ and ‘how should we respond to the poor?’. Students will also encounter the beliefs and teachings of Islam looking at the similarities and differences between the two biggest world religions.

Y9

The curriculum in Y9 is focused again on the themes of Creation and Prophecy, this time looking at what it is to be created in God’s image and the role of women in the Bible as well as what it means for gender equality in the modern world. There is a much more extensive study of a world faith in Y9 in the second term when students will study in depth Judaism from the early history and roots through the core beliefs and practices. Students will not only study the religion but also experience what being Jewish is like with opportunities to encounter Judaism in a very real and profound way.

Key Stage 4

Students follow the Eduqas Route B GCSE Religious Studies course. They are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies to support their responses using appropriate knowledge and understanding of key sources of wisdom and sacred texts.

This course builds upon the work completed in key stage 3. Students will use their prior knowledge from Y7-Y9 as they work through the 4 main themes of GCSE; Origins and Meaning, Good and Evil, Life and Death, Sin and Forgiveness. Students have the opportunity to explore what it is to be human, whether there really is a God, is there an afterlife before finally should we always forgive?

CURRICULUM TIME

KS3: 2 hours

KS4: 2 hours (Y10), 3 hours (Y11)

ASSESSMENT

Paper 1: (37.5%) Written exam - 1.5 hours

Fundamental Catholic Theology (Theme 1: Origins and Meaning Theme 2: Good and Evil) studied in Y10, examined in Y11

Paper 2: (37.5%) Written exam - 1.5 hours

Applied Catholic Theology (Theme 3: Life and Death Theme 4: Sin and Forgiveness) studied and examined in Y11 (1hr 30mins)

Paper 3: (25%) Written paper - 1 hour

Judaism - studied from February of Y9 to Y11, examined in Y11

Students must know, understand and express common and divergent views and the basis for beliefs, teachings and practices. References to relevant sources of wisdom and authority are expected, including scripture and/or sacred texts.

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: Mr. D. McGee