Curriculum

Religious Studies

why study religious studies?

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 do we study religious studies?

Religious Studies 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 we study at key stage 3? 

During Key Stage 3, pupils study a wide variety of world faiths. Pupils explore the origin and sources of religious faith, learning about different beliefs about God, examples of religious leaders in different faiths, and holy books. Pupils then look at ways of expression for religious believers including religious identity, worship, and rituals. They also explore how believers link to events from the past, through festivals and pilgrimage.

Pupils then delve into responses to ‘Big Questions’ through the exploration of theological, philosophical, and viewpoints. These questions are examined through the lens of different viewpoints and include topics such as war, evil and suffering, the origin of life and death, and the environment. The Religious Studies curriculum also covers non-religious worldviews. Pupils explore what do we mean by religion and worldviews, how faith inspires people, and religion and its relevance in the 21st century.

what will we 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 Human Rights students where they 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.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7  Year 8 Year 9
  • Beliefs about God in Christianity 
  • Worship in Christianity 
  • Introduction to Sikhism 
  • Judaism through time
  • Hinduism 
  • Whose world is it anyway?
  • In search of truth
  • Is it ever right to do wrong?
  • Introduction to Islam
  • Ritual and identity in Sikhism 
  • Remembering the past
  • Where do we come from?
  • Truth without God in Buddhism 
  • Religion and life
  • Problem of evil
  • War – what is it good for?
  • Religious denominations
  • Does it make sense to believe in God?

 

Year 10 Year 11
  • Christian beliefs and teachings
  • Christianity practices
  • Islam beliefs and teachings
  • Islam practices
  • Religion and life
  • Religion, peace and conflict
  • Religion, crime and punishment
  • Religion and human rights
  • Revision

Assessment

KS4 Exam Board Specification: AQA GCSE Religious Studies (8062)

 

Overview Focus
Paper 1: Study of Religion: Islam
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
102 marks
50% of GCSE
Islam: Beliefs and Teachings,
Islam: Practices
Christianity: Beliefs and Teachings
Christianity: Practices
Overview Focus
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
99 marks
50% of GCSE
Religion, Human Rights & Social Justice
Religion and Life
Peace and Conflict
Crime and Punishment

Enrichment Offer 

The Department offers subject-specific enrichment clubs and organises a range of educational visits throughout the year. Intervention sessions to consolidate prior learning and ensure maximum progress are at the heart of our delivery model.

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