Religious Education

Unlike the vast majority of schools, RE is at the centre of our School’s curriculum. As a Church of England academy, it is highly valued, and we recognise the huge benefits of all students studying it to GCSE.

While all subjects uphold our School’s Intent is particularly shown in our subject in the way we:

• strive to be unapologetically academic
• develop highly literate and knowledgeable students and
• support character development

In Religious Education, students are encouraged to reflect on religious, non-religious, philosophical, moral and spiritual questions. They will have the opportunity to explore a range of world views which highlight the complexity of the world  in which they live today.

Key Stage 3

Our aims are aligned with the Diocese of Peterborough Syllabus for Religious Education. Students will

• know about and understand Christianity as a diverse global living faith through the exploration of core beliefs, using an approach that critically engages with biblical text;
• gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and world views, appreciating diversity, continuity and change within religions and world views studied;
• engage with challenging questions of meaning and purpose raised by human existence and experience;
• recognise the concept of religion and its continuing influence on Britain’s cultural heritage and in the lives of individuals and societies in different times, cultures and places;
• explore their own religious, spiritual and philosophical ways living, believing and thinking.

The curriculum is carefully structured, so that there are progressive levels of challenge and high expectations in each year.

From Year 7, students are exposed to the complexities of Religious Education by undertaking a Philosophy of Religion unit which explores the ideas of Plato, Descartes, Freud and Marx. Our curriculum development means that we will be focusing on Abrahamic Faiths in year 7 – Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The Year 8 curriculum is centred on the Dharmic Faiths – Hindu Dharma, Sikh and Buddhism. This prepares our students for the contrast between different cultures and world views, which links to their GCSE as they take an in-depth study of Christianity and Buddhism.

The Christianity units from Year 7 to Year 8 are aligned with the resources provided by the Understanding Christianity framework. These units are sequenced to enhance students’ understanding of key Christian concepts – Incarnation, Trinity, The Fall and Salvation.

By Year 9, our students are confident in their knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and world views, as well as having enhanced their critical skills of evaluating sacred texts and scripture. To further their character development, knowledge and skills, students engage with units of work on Anti-Racism and Ethics before moving onto their GCSE content.

Examinations:

• Year 9, 10 and 11 follow the new AQA Religious Studies A (8062) full course GCSE
• GCSE full course: 100% Examination - 2 papers each 1 hour and 45 minutes long

• Component 1 - The study of beliefs, teachings and practices of 2 religions; Christianity & Buddhism
• Component 2 - Thematic studies; Religion and Life, The Existence of God and Revelation, Religion, Peace and Conflict and Religion, Crime and Punishment.

Enrichment Opportunities:

• KS3: trips to places of religious interest, 'Meet the Faiths' - An opportunity to meet representatives from a variety of faith perspectives
• KS4: trips abroad to places of pilgrimage and worship

The RE Team: