Religious Studies
We aim for pupils to gain knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews and their influences on individuals, communities, societies and cultures. Our pupils explore their own beliefs and attitudes to fundamental questions regarding the meaning and purpose of life. We support our pupils to become religiously literate; to be able to speak and write about worldviews, theology and philosophy confidently, with wisdom and sensitivity.
KS3
Pupils are taught to understand the key beliefs and practices of the 6 major world religions, which they compare to humanism before moving onto trying to answer some of the big questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, ultimate reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. Pupils acquire the skills needed to understand, interpret and evaluate texts, sources of wisdom and authority and other evidence. The classroom environment is rooted in mutual respect, allowing pupils to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting the right of others to differ.
Year 7
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
|
Introduction to RE
Key beliefs and practices of Judaism
Key beliefs and practices of Christianity |
Key beliefs and practices of Islam
Key beliefs and practices of Hinduism |
Key beliefs and practices of Sikhism
Key beliefs and practices of Buddhism |
Year 8
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
|
Why do we mark our journey through life?
What can Christians learn from Biblical stories? |
How do we know the difference between right and wrong?
Do we need religion for morality? |
How united is Islam?
Is belief in God compatible with the existence of evil and suffering in the world? |
We believe that RE makes a significant contribution to the personal development of young people. Our curriculum has been designed and agreed in collaboration with Redbridge local authority. It has been designed to help pupils to respect others, gain a broader understanding of differing view and beliefs and improve their knowledge of global affairs.
Parents do have the statutory right to withdraw their children from Religious Education. However, the scheme of learning has been constructed in the hope that parents will rarely, if ever, wish to exercise their right of withdrawal. Parents with concerns are encouraged to discuss these with the Head of RE initially. Please email admin@oakspark.redbridge.sch.uk for the attention of the Head of RE to arrange a discussion.KS4
| Course | Religious Studies |
| Examining Board | Edexcel |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? |
Religious Studies will help develop your key skills in communication; working with others; problem solving and improving your own learning. It will also aid your skills in making decisions about moral problems; help you be sure about your own beliefs and explain them clearly to others.
The units covered in Religious Studies have strong links with other subject areas, so you will be able to develop your learning in a range of fields. The course will also enable you to consider and evaluate ultimate questions of life, which makes Religious Studies so unique. It’s not about making you religious, it’s about enabling you to think for yourself around religious and moral issues. You will study the topics from Christian, Muslim, Humanist and Atheist viewpoints. |
| Unit 1 |
Religion and Ethics through Islam |
| Unit 2 |
Religion, Peace and Conflict through Christianity |
| Assessment |
100% examination - 2 exam papers at the end of year 11. Paper 1: Islam - 1hr 45 minutes (50%) |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
GCSE Religious studies prepares you to work and deal with people of different cultures and beliefs. This can be very useful for careers requiring highly developed people skills such as: the police, law, politics, teaching, human rights, the NHS and the armed forces. Studying RS can help you get into a range of careers including Teaching, Civil Service, National Security, Diplomatic Service, Defense Industry, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Emergency Services: Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard, Human resources. |
| Suggested links to resources |
This is a major reference point for anything you may want for religious education on the web. It is always up to date and changes regularly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09v6xx3 The Moral maze is particularly useful for Ethics and Christianity. Each week a panel discusses an ethical issue. The archives are full of useful episodes.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b007zpll/the-big-questions?suggid=b007zpll The Big Questions is on every Sunday morning, an audience discuss moral issues. |
KS 5
| Course | A-Level Philosophy, Religion and Ethics |
| Examining Board | EDUQAS |
| Specification | Link |
| Why study this subject? |
Do you think about the purpose of life? Do you question whether God exists? Do you love debating? Do you enjoy solving problems?
Then choose RS! Studying RS will help you explore how religious beliefs and practices influence the world we live in, it will provide many occasions for personal and intellectual growth; you will also gain cultural literacy and will be asked to interpret and express your position on controversial and hotly debated issues. |
| Unit 1 |
Islam |
| Unit 2 |
Philosophy of Religion |
| Unit 3 |
Ethics |
| Assessment AS- |
2 Exams |
| Assessment A-Level |
3 Exams |
| Next steps - Careers/HE courses |
A natural pathway to Theology or Religious Studies courses but also supports applications to courses such as History, Social Sciences, Medicine, Journalism, Teaching, Law and even Business disciplines. The skills developed in this course including critical thinking, analysis and independent study skills are valued by Russell Group Universities, Oxford and Cambridge.
Studying RS can help you get into a range of careers including Teaching, Civil Service, National Security, Diplomatic Service, Defense Industry, Human Rights, Law, Politics, Emergency Services: Police, Fire, Ambulance, Coastguard, Human resources. |
| Suggested links to resources |
Eduqas Digital Educational ResourcesPractical Ethics Bites The Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical EthicsPhilosophy of Religion |
