Summary
Our aim is to equip students with the tools to enquire, evaluate, reflect and be curious about the world they live in, particularly through the prism of religion, ethics and philosophy, as well as to engender independent thought. The curriculum is based on both a thematic approach and study units based on specific religions. It allows students to grasp concepts from specific religious viewpoints, whilst allowing them opportunities to express and develop their own ideas and give them an awareness of the spiritual dimensions of life.
Curriculum Content
Curriculum
Does God Exist?
Students investigate the arguments for and against the existence of God. They explore theological explanations for religious belief, miracles, evil and suffering, creationism, the ‘Big Bang’ and Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Islam
Students explore features of the world’s second largest religion. They investigate the historical origins of Islam, Islamic prayer, the Qu’ran, Hajj, and the Five Pillars of Islam.
Buddhism
Students investigate the key features of Buddhism. They explore the life of Prince Saddhartha, how Buddhism began, karma, meditation, the four noble truths and the eightfold path.
Christianity: Was Jesus a Troublemaker?
Students explore key features of the world’s largest religion. They investigate the historical origins of Christianity, the life of Jesus, the bible and the arguments for and against Jesus being a troublemaker.
Assessment
Does God Exist?
In this essay students are expected to explain the arguments for and against the existence of God. They also reflect upon their own beliefs and why they hold them.
Islam
Students are tested on core knowledge surrounding the origins of Islam, the ‘Qu’ran, Hajj, Islamic prayer and the Five Pillars of Islam.
Buddhism
Student are tested on core knowledge surrounding the origins of Buddhism and the eightfold path. Students will also have to explain how the teaching of Buddhism are relevant to school and the modern world.
Christianity: Was Jesus a Troublemaker?
Students are required to explain the arguments for and against Jesus being a troublemaker.
Progress & Preparation Activities (PPA)
PPA is set on Insight / Parent Portal by class teachers generally on a weekly basis.
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find RE resources.
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 8 curriculum.
- RE Online – free to use, quality assured, comprehensive coverage of religion and worldviews.
- KS3 Religious Studies – BBC Bitesize – free to use website that has videos, information and quizzes on all major world religions.
Summary
Students will explore the relationship between religious beliefs and modern life issues, and study two religions in depth.
For Paper 1, students base their study on Christianity. The topics covered will include believing in God, matters of life and death, marriage and the family, and religion and community cohesion.
For Paper 2, students complete an in-depth study of Islam and its effects on the lives of followers in the UK. There
are four sections: beliefs and values, community and tradition, worship and celebration, and living a religious life.
GCSE RE
Level: GCSE
Examination Board: Pearson Edexcel
Curriculum
In Year 10, students will study the following topics:
- Christianity (Beliefs, Marriage and the Family, Living the Religious Life, Matters of Life and Death)
Assessment
Students will take an internal examination at the end of Year 10. All externally-graded examinations take place at the end of Year 11.
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find RE resources.
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.
- BBC Bitesize – excellent revision tests and videos.
- Pearson – can access some past papers here.
- Revision World – provides access to numerous question papers and mark schemes.
Curriculum
In Year 11, students will study the following topics:
- Islam Beliefs (Beliefs, Crime and Punishment, Living the Religious Life, Peace and Conflict)
Assessment
Paper 1 – Religion and Ethics: Christianity
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade
Paper 2 – Religion, Peace and Conflict: Islam
Written examination – 1 hour 30 minutes – 50% of GCSE grade
Further Resources
The school has a subscription to The Day, an online news service for schools. Click the button to the right, then browse ‘Subjects’ in the top menu to find RE resources.
Please see below for a number of resources to maximise students’ progress during their Year 10 curriculum.
- BBC Bitesize – an excellent revision site.
- Pearson – past papers for this qualification.
- Revision World – past papers for this qualification.