Welcome to Religious Education

Religious Education is taught to every student in Key Stage 3. During this time we focus of the major world religions, working in line with the new North Yorkshire syllabus. We begin in year 7 with an introduction to key spritual thinkers and the key skills needed for  sucessful progress and devlopment in RE all from a philosophical  perspective. We are a committed department and are proud of the engaging and exciting lessons we plan and deliver for our students.

Staff

• Miss Kirsty Wilson (HoD)

Religious Education Film

Links to SMSC

As a department we are passionate about equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge to be thoughtful considerate citizens; highlighted in our varied schemes of work. Cooperative learning allows students develop speaking and listening skills and to respect others opinions, as they form their own.

Students are given a non-bias approach to RS in which they are encouraged to develop their own spiritual thoughts and consider the social and cultural choices of themselves and others. This takes particular focus in KS3 when studying topics such as; ´Is it right to go to war?´

Links to British Values including Prevent duty

RS covers all aspects of British values, it is of particular focus in Year 9 Citizenship as we study the political history of the UK, the role with the UK plays in the global economic market and the importance of a democratic society.

At KS3 students evaluate the use of Human Rights and the importance of tolerance and understanding those different from ourselves when studying topics such as Islamophobia as Year 8. Students are also made aware of the dangers of extreme views and the necessary precautions to avoid this behaviour.

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Key Stage 3

Course title: Religious Studies

Course Overview: KS3 RS comprises of an array of both religious and philosophical thought. The course intends to develop students´ higher order thinking and critical reflection.

Key Areas Of Study:

• Year 7: Ethics and Values
  • Spiritual Thinkers
  • Christianity
  • Sikhism
  • Meaning and Purpose
• Year 8: Ethics and Values II
  • Buddhism
  • Islam
  • Judaism
  • Meaning and Purpose II

Course Length: 2 years

Progression to: The intention of KS3 is to prepare the necessary skills and knowledge required at KS4 enabling successful progression to GCSE and beyond.

Extra-Curricular Activities: IL club, Critical Thinking Society

Trips: Local Places of Worship, Guest Speakers

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Key Stage 4

Course title: Y9 Citizenship

Course Overview: Year 9 Citizenship is an enrichment based course aims to raise students´ awareness of the world around them and role that they play in society.

Key Areas Of Study:

• Active Citizenship
• Parliament and government
• The criminal justice system
• Rights, responsibilities and diversity
• Life Skills

Course Length: 1 year (enrichment)

Progression to: The Year 9 Citizenship course enables students with essential skills of higher level studying; social awareness, debating and discussion, considering their place in society. Further development can lead to study in politics, philosophy, economics or law.

Extra-Curricular Activities: IL club, Critical Thinking Society

Trips: Guest Speakers

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Course title: Edxcel GCSE RS As of September 2018

Course Overview: At GCSE level students are to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief including:

• beliefs, practices and sources of authority;
• influence of individuals, communities and societies;
• similarities and differences within between religions and beliefs.

In addition students are to analyse and evaluate aspects of religion and belief, including their significance and influence

Key Areas Of Study:

Students will base their study around Islam and Christianity focusing on Ethics, Peace & Conflict

Areas of study are drawn from:

• Relationships and families
• Religious views of the world
• The existence of God, gods and ultimate reality
• Religion, peace and conflict
• Crime and punishment
• Dialogue within and between religions and non-religious beliefs
• Religion, human rights and social justice

Assessment:

• Christian Ethics: 50% examination
• 1hr 45 minutes
• Islam Peace and Conflict
• 50% examination
• 1hr 45 mins

Course Length: 1 year

Progression to: A- Level RS

Extra-Curricular Activities:

• IL club
• Revision Master Classes
• Critical Thinking Society

Trips: Guest Speakers

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Key Stage 5

Course title: Edxcel A-Level RS As of September 2017

Course Overview:

Students are to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief. Analysing and evaluating aspects of, and approaches to, religion and belief, including their significance and influence and study

Key Areas Of Study:

At A-level we focus on three component of study;

Philosophy of Religion; Philosophical issues:

Nature & Influence of religious experience; Problem of evil and suffering; Language; Philosophers; Influences and developments.

Religion and Ethics; Significant concepts in issues and debates:

• Utilitarianism, situation ethics and natural moral law;
• War & Peace and Sexual Ethics;
• Ethical Language;
• Ethical Theory (including comparison of 2 scholars);
• Medical ethics;

The systemic Study of Christianity; Religious beliefs, values and teachings:

• Sources of wisdom and authority;
• Practices that shape and express religious identity;
• Social and Historical developments;
• Comparative study of two scholars;
• Religion and Society.

(Set texts will be specified)

Assessment: Students will sit either.

• AS- Three 1-hour exam 33.3% of AS-level grade one for each component of study
• A-level Three 2-hour exam 33.3% of grade one for each component of study

Course Length: 1 year or 2 years

Progression to: Students can go on to study different subjects at university or work in fields concerning as: RS

Philosophy and Ethics:

• Journalism;
• Law;
• Teaching;
• Politics

Extra-Curricular Activities:

• IL club
• Revision Master Classes
• Critical Thinking Society

Trips: University Seminars, Guest Speakers