Welcome
Religious Studies has changed significantly over the last twenty years. Not so long ago it was about understanding Christianity from a Catholic or Protestant point of view.
Today it attempts to teach about religion (with or without the idea of God) and other beliefs (like atheism) and how these impact on life as a whole. With globalisation and migration and with the world experiencing a variety of conflicts based on tribal and cultural misunderstandings and hatred, it is increasingly important that young people have a more enlightened view of others.
The RS team’s aim is:
- to enthuse students to consider perspectives other than their own;
- to develop students’ ability to express their views and those of others;
- to develop the ability to explain and discuss.
Key Stage 3
In Year 7 you will study five Units:
- Key beliefs
- Places of worship
- Holy Book
- Founders
- Celebrations
The religions studied will be Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
In Year 8 you will study five Units:
- Key beliefs
- Places of worship
- Holy Book
- Founders
- Celebrations
The religions studied will be Judaism, Christianity and Islam
In Year 9 you will study five Units:
- Behaviour, Attitudes and Lifestyles
- Decisions on Life
- Ethics and Conflict
- Philosophy, Religion & Popular Culture
- Religion and sport
All units will be focusing on students’ ability to think about questions of meaning, in order to consider perspectives other than their own and to develop empathy, values and critical thinking.
Most lessons are linked to Citizenship, PSHE, Geography and History. It also gives opportunities to develop literacy skills by learning to explain and discuss.
Key Stage 4
In Year 10 and Year 11 you will study Religious Studies once a week for one hour.
Two main Topics are being studied
- Religion and Citizenship
The course gets you to think about key modern day issues. Some of them will have directly affected you, or you will have direct experience of them. Some you will know of through other people’s experience. Some you may only know of through the media. Keep in mind that you already have a whole load of knowledge about these issues, and you can use that in your exam. The course is directly linked to Citizenship and has other links with Geography, History, PSHE and English.
Topics covered are:
- Religion and relationships
- Religion sport and leisure
- Religion and work
- Religion and a multicultural society
- Religion and human rights
- Religion and identity
