Why do we learn Religion and Philosophy?
Religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture!
Through studying Religion and Philosophy pupils will develop in confidence and knowledge of their own beliefs and values to be able to eloquently express and debate them. Pupils will also build their knowledge of the nature, significance and impact of world religions in contributing to a cohesive and compassionate society. Finally, through studying societal issues with consideration of the modern and ancient philosophy, pupils will be able to come to well-reasoned conclusions and sound judgement on ethical and moral debates.
Where could RE take me in the future?
The skills gained from RE are numerous and transferable, including critical thinking, written and oral communication and analysis. These support pupils well who are considering careers that involve regular dialogue, response to problems, communication, and debates.
RE is a highly enriching and academic subject that can be a great asset to any career as diverse and wide ranging as teaching, law, politics, consultancy, and medicine.
Head of Department
Assessment Details
In addition to regular knowledge quizzes and multiple-choice style questions pupils will also undertake regular short answer questions that will ask them to form a paragraph response to or take a position on a topical issue.
In GCSE study, we will follow AQA Religious Studies Specification A with a focus on Christianity and Islam alongside four additional themes, Life and Death, Relationships, Human Rights, and Crime and Punishment.
There are two exams which assess your knowledge, understanding and application of religion, philosophy and ethics.
Paper 1 is the religions paper and paper 2 looks at the four themes, mentioned above. Each paper is worth 50% of the GCSE grade and will be 1 hour and 45 minutes each.
Each section follows a common structure based on multiple choice questions, short answer recall and extended response questions based.
Year 7 - Religion and Philosophy
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| What is the Old Testament? | Why does God command violence in the Old Testament? |
| The story of creation After ‘The Fall’ Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons |
Moses, the burning bush and founding of the 10 commandments The 10 plagues and the exodus The parables of David vs. Golaith, David and Bathsheba and Elijia |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| What did Jesus teach us? | Through his life in Jerusalem what message did Jesus give? |
|
Who is Jesus and what is the Trinity? |
The message of Jesus in the cleansing of the temple and in the Last Supper The death and resurrection of Jesus Pentecost and the travels and letters of Paul |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| What does it mean to be Jewish? | How have Jews responded to contemporary challenges to their faith? |
|
Origins, The Messiah, The Temple |
The persecution of the Jewish people in modern and Medieval Europe |
All Year 7 Subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Physical Education
Year 8 - Religion and Philosophy
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How has Christianity developed over time? | Is Christianity under attack in modern Britain? |
| Origins of Cristian thought following the death of Jesus The development of the early church based on the letters of St Paul and the early problems Members of the Early church were persecuted and martyred Importance of Constantine and the Council of Nicea in changing the perception of Christians |
Debates on the ownership and origin of the Bible Christianity within a multicultural Britain Christianity and the debated perspectives on slavery and the crusades Christianity faces challenges such as declining numbers, criticism of its influence and pop culture challenges |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| What does it mean to be a Muslim? | Can Islam be a source of peace in the modern world? |
| Muslims believe that Muhammad received revelations on how people should live After Mohammad’s death, Islam continued to spread under the caliphs and established an empire The story of how Mohammed received the revelations Islamic celebrations, festivals and prayer |
The five pillars of Islam and their order of importance Islamic festivals including Ramadan and Eid Islam and global terrorism links with the concept of Jihad and the ‘Greater Jihad’ |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| How do Hindu’s practice their religion? | What is the role of Hinduism in the modern world? |
| Hinduism has no single founder and its followers have many different beliefs The main sacred text is the four Vedas which are believed to come from God Hinduism is rich in symbolism |
Hindus value pilgrimages and visit holy mainly Varanasi and city of Puri |
All Year 8 Subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Physical Education
Year 9 - Religion and Philosophy
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| What is truth and is there one? | Is there a God? |
| Key philosophers – Plato, Descartes, Aquinas etc. Arguments for the existence of God including the First Cause Argument and the Design Argument. Criticisms of these arguments referring to Hume and Darwin. |
Modern philosophy – Marx, Freud New Atheism Beliefs in the UK |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| What does it mean to be a Buddhist in the modern world? | What does it mean to be a Sikh? |
| The origins of Buddhism The four noble truths and the Eightfold Path Festivals |
The origins of Sikhism Architecture, art and iconography Festivals View of violence and history of fighting in the world wars |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Is there a right way to live your life? | How ethical is the 21st century? |
| Concepts of morality – absolutism vs relativism Ethics with and without God Utilitarianism |
Ethical dilemmas – the example of the runaway train |
All Year 9 Subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Physical Education
Year 10 - Religion and Philosophy
RE at GCSE offers a diverse range of intriguing subjects to explore:
- Component 1 (paper 1) offers an in-depth study of two major world religions: Christianity and Islam.
- Component 2 (paper 2) explores four philosophical and ethical themes: relationships and families; life and death; crime and punishment, and human rights and social justice.
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| What do Christians believe? | How do Christian beliefs shape Christian practices? |
| The Trinity Jesus Christ The Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension Salvation |
Key Christian practices Worship and festivals Sacraments (Baptism and the Eucharist) Pilgrimage The role of the church in the local and worldwide community |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| What do Muslims believe? | How do Muslim beliefs shape Muslim practices? |
| Key Muslim beliefs Authority and differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims Core beliefs regarding Allah, such as Tawhid Foundations of Faith: The Five Pillars, the Six Articles of Faith, the Five Roots, and the Ten Obligatory Acts Prophets and their messages Holy books (Quran, Hadith, Sunnah and Tawrat) |
Key Muslim practices Worship Duties Festivals Pilgrimage |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| What do religious believers think about issues around life and death? | What do religious believers think about issues around relationships? |
| The origins and value of the universe The origins and value of human life Modern topics around the value of life: abortion and euthanasia Life after death Heaven and hell |
Sex, marriage and divorce |
All Year 10 Subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Physical Education
Year 11
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
|
What do religious believers think about issues around life and death? |
What do religious believers think about issues around relationships? |
|
The origins and value of the universe (religious and non-religious) The origins and value of human life Modern topics around the value of life: abortion and euthanasia Life after death Heaven and hell |
Sex, marriage and divorce Family types The role of the family and how it has evolved. Issues around cohabitation, sexuality and contraception Families and gender equality |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
|
What do religious believers think about issues around crime and punishment? |
What do religious believers think about issues around human rights and social justice? |
|
Reasons for crime Aims of punishment Religious attitudes to suffering, forgiveness and the death penalty |
Social justice and human rights Prejudice and discrimination Religious freedom Status and role of women Wealth and poverty |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Revision Focus | |
|
Revision tailored to specific outcomes in Mock 2 & to individual pupil needs Practice exam questions and recap key concepts |
|
All Year 11 Subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Physical Education