Religious Education

Leader of RE

Miss Ackumey

In Religious Education we aspire to provide lessons which explore a multitude of religious lifestyles and investigate ethical debates, alongside philosophical questions relevant in the community and the wider world. Students will learn to confidently articulate their own beliefs and all students will be valued and respected. In the RE department, we encourage an open minded and inquisitive response to difference, which helps foster understanding and empathy in all, preparing students for their role in our multi- cultural world.

Faculty Introduction:

In accordance with the Northamptonshire Agreed Syllabus, approximately 20 weeks are spent on the Christianity units in each of Years 7 and 8 and 9, and approximately 15 weeks on Hinduism (Year 7), 15 weeks on Judaism (Year 8) and 15 weeks on Islam (Year 9). This is to provide a balance between Christianity and other religions. At the end of Year 9, 5 weeks are spent on a school designed unit, which covers moral issues. In Year 9, RE is delivered as a mini option to introduce students to GCSE Philosophy and Ethics

Topics / Modules to be covered:

In Years 7 and 8 students are taught for two lessons across the fortnight and four lessons across the fortnight in Year 9. The main topics covered are: 

Year 7:

  • What do Christians believe about God?
  • Introduction to Hinduism

Year 8:

  • Christian ways of life: Justice, Environment and Suffering
  • Introduction to Judaism

Year 9:

  • Christian teachings on origins, purpose and destiny
  • Introduction to GCSE Philosophy and Ethics
  • Key beliefs and practices of Muslims
  • Introduction to Humanism

Throughout the topics students:

  • Study the main beliefs of Christianity regarding origins, purpose and destiny and how they affect the lives of individuals and communities.
  • Articulate their own views on questions of meaning and purpose – relating these to the opinions and thoughts of religious believers and giving reasons for any conclusions drawn.
  • Study how historical and cultural contexts impact on responses to questions of meaning and purpose.
  • Evaluate religious and other views on human identity and experience and questions of meaning and purpose, using appropriate examples.
Assessment:

Students are assessed continuously throughout the different units, using expectations statements and level descriptors to level pieces of class and homework. Tasks are varied to take into account varied learning styles, for example, written, verbal and visual.

Faculty Introduction:

At KS4, Religious Education is delivered as a full GCSE in Philosophy and Ethics for six lessons a fortnight.

Philosophy and Ethics enables students to:

  • Adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion
  • Explore religions and beliefs, reflect on fundamental questions, engage with them intellectually and respond personally
  • Enhance their spiritual and moral development, and contribute to their health and well being
  • Enhance their personal, social and cultural development, their understanding of different cultures locally, nationally and in the wider world and to contribute to social and community cohesion
  • Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion, and relate it to the wider world
  • Reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in light of their learning.
  • Gain an understanding of the beliefs of Christianity and how they impact on cultural and social issues in the community and family.
Topics / Modules to be covered:

Year 10 students will study four units as follows:

  • Relationships and Families
  • Men and Women
  • Equality

 

  • The Existence of God
  • The Question of God
  • The Nature of Reality
  • Experiencing God

 

  • Religion, Peace and Conflict
  • Violence and Conflict
  • Peace Making
  • Forgiveness and Reconciliation

 

  • Dialogue on Religious Beliefs
  • Challenges for Religion
  • Dialogue between Religions
  • Dialogue with Religious and Non – Religious groups

In Year 11 students will study two units as follows:

Beliefs and Teachings of Christianity

  • The Nature of God
  • The Trinity
  • Biblical Creation
  • The Problem of Evil
  • Jesus Christ
  • The Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension
  • Salvation
  • Eschatology

Practices in Christianity

  • Worship
  • Sacraments
  • Prayer
  • Pilgrimage and Celebrations
  • The Church in the Community
  • Mission
  • The Church in the World

Beliefs and Teachings of Islam

  • Core Beliefs
  • Nature of Allah
  • Prophethood
  • Books
  • Angels
  • Eschatology
  • Life After Death

Practices in Islam

  • Importance of Practices
  • Public Worship
  • Private Worship
  • Hajj
  • Zakah
  • Sawm
  • Festivals
  • Jihad
Assessment:

GCSE Religious Education Key Exam Information Year 10

Subject: Religious Studies   
Exam Board AQA
Examination Details

Paper 1 – 50% (96 marks)

Paper 2 – 50% (96 marks)

Controlled Assessment None
Exam Paper Details

Paper 1 – Christianity – Written Exam (1 hour 45 minutes)

Paper 2 – Islam – Written Exam (1 hour 45 minutes)

Key Topics

Component 1: The study of Christianity and Islam: beliefs, teachings and practices.

Component 2: Thematic studies. The choice of 4 philosophical and ethical themes out of 6.

A. Relationship and families

B. Religion and life

D. Peace and conflict

E. Crime and Punishment

GCSE Religious Education Key Exam Information Year 11

Subject: Religious Studies   
Exam Board OCR
Examination Details

Paper 1 – 25% (63 marks)

Paper 2 – 25% (63 marks)

Paper 3 – 50% (126 marks)

Controlled Assessment None
Exam Paper Details

Paper 1 – Christianity – Written Exam (1 Hour)

Paper 2 – Islam – Written Exam (1 Hour)

Paper 3 – PRE in the Modern World from a Christian Perspective – Written Exam (2 hours)

Key Topics

Christian Beliefs, Teachings and Practices

Islamic Beliefs, Teachings and Practices

Relationships and families

The existence of God

Religion, peace and conflict

Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs and attitudes


Religious Studies and careers

The study of religions, philosophy and ethics develops key skills required in higher education and a broad range of careers. In fact, Philosophy forms one of the most popular courses at Oxford and Cambridge - PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). The GCSE course ensures students adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to fundamental questions. Students will learn to articulate their own beliefs as well as respecting those of others. Students will cultivate the compassion and empathy needed for careers in medicine, the tolerance and understanding essential for roles in policing and the analytical skills desired in law. Religious Studies closes no doors in careers, it only opens them.

Useful Websites (RE)