Ethics and Religious Education
Ethics and Religious Education
Intent
The Ethics and Religious Education curriculum is designed to help build awareness, understanding, and appreciation of different, beliefs, faiths, practices, and religions. It aims to increase understanding of the diverse communities surrounding us, in the modern world in which we live, and to create a safe environment based on mutual respect and tolerance. By doing this, we enhance our communication skills and, therefore, foster necessary life skills.
Learning Journey
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Curriculum Map
The Department aims to:
· Educate students in the knowledge and skills they need to be open minded about religion and matters of faith.
· Encourage critical and ethical reasoning about personal beliefs and religious practices, asking how religious, philosophical and non-religious worldviews may affect attitudes and beliefs.
· Explore how religions are lived and practised in local communities and global contexts.
· Cultivate a sense of respect and responsibility for communities informed by the study of theology and religion.
Our RE lessons provide opportunity for students to progress through the:
· Philosophy core skills of critical thinking, creating and articulating coherent arguments, engaging in open-minded reflection which may include challenging pre-conceptions and questioning assumptions.
· Theology core skills including learning about the origins, core beliefs and core practices of religions; understanding sources of wisdom and authority of religions, linking beliefs to practice; evaluating divergent beliefs; and comparing and contrasting varied interpretations within and between religious traditions and non-religious worldviews.
· Ethics core skills of analysing real-world issues of morality and considering diverse viewpoints available to assess moral arguments and ethical perspectives.
Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3, RE aims to develop the characteristics and key skills that help prepare all students for dealing with life in an open minded and critical way. It will raise awareness of other faiths, establish a sense of identity, and develop open and enquiring minds.
Key Stage 4
AQA GCSE RS is offered as a full course option and is compulsory at Key Stage 4
The GCSE is designed to move with the times. Therefore, it is important that you have an interest in what’s going on in the world. We frequently look at current issues that affect both religious and non-religious people in our society and assess and evaluate attitudes to these issues.
The skills you can develop in RE are extremely helpful outside school. Being able to express your opinion clearly, being able to discuss and debate in a reasoned way, considering different point of views and improved writing skills. Through studying GCSE Religious Studies students will encounter a wide range of concepts allowing them to confidently interpret, contextualise and analyse the expressions of religions and world views they encounter.
How am I assessed?
The Full Course culminates in two 1 hour 45-minute examinations at the end of Year 11.
Which examination board will I follow?
You will be following the AQA GCSE Full Course in Religious Studies A
Is there any additional information about this course?
Universities highly value the study of RE because the skills and knowledge you acquire can help you in a variety of subjects. There are also many occupations that require an understanding of other people and their lifestyles: from doctors and nurses to shop assistants and air stewards; from police officers to lawyers’ teachers and youth workers.
Useful Links:
Bible Gateway – Good News
Translation:
https://www.biblegateway.com/
BBC Bitesize – Religious Studies: Christianity and Islam:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zb48q6f
RS Revision:
http://www.rsrevision.com/contents/index.htm
