Heathcote School Website – Religious Education
Religious Education
Religious Education enables student to study the six major religions that are in
Great Britain. These are Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism,
Sikhism. We also examine social, moral and ethical issues and how the
different religious traditions deal with them. We encourage students to
develop their own opinions on these issues and to be able to give a reason for
their opinion and understand why others think differently.
Why study RE? A question often asked by pupils. There are many reasons
for studying RE. Firstly it is the law, however there are many other reasons.
It is considered an academic subject that develops skills of discussion, debate
and self-expression in addition to learning about religious beliefs and
practices. These skills are required in many professions such as the law,
caring professions such as social work, nursing, teaching, counselling, Police
and the media. In addition to this RE helps pupils to understand other
subjects many of which have a religious dimensions especially History,
English, Science, Geography to name a few. RE also helps pupils understand
the impact of individuals and their beliefs on society.
Useful Websites
www.bbc.co.uk/religion
www.humanism.org.uk
www.iskcon.org.uk/
http://www.reonline.org.uk/
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/index.htm
KS3
At Key Stage 3 pupils undertake a variety of learning experiences including
using artefacts, watching videos, using ICT equipment where possible, and
using a community of enquiry to discuss ideas. Year 7 pupils will visit a
church and year 8 pupils visit Bhakativedenta Manor. Year 9 pupils hear a
Holocaust Survivor speak.
At Key Stage 4 pupils follow the Edexcel Religion & Life and Religion &
Society GCSE. This course looks at moral and social issues concentrating on
Christianity & Islam. At Key Stage 5 they follow the Edexcel GCE religious
studies program looking at Philosophy & Ethics.
Year 7
The Island
Festivals of light
Judaism
The life of Jesus
Special people
In year 7 we look at how religious festivals and ceremonies are linked to
important beliefs and stories. Pupils develop their own ceremonies and think
about how these would link to experiences. They then look at some religious
festivals and how they are celebrated & why they are important.
In the spring term they develop their understanding of Judaism, important
people and beliefs. In the summer term they look at important events in the
life of Jesus. They study other people who are motivated by their religious
beliefs.
Students learn religious terms associated with Judaism, Christianity and
Hinduism. They develop the ability to express their opinions on a range of
issues connected with religion and morality and some may be able to explain
why other people think differently. They will have the opportunity to handle
religious artefacts and understand why they are important to people.
Year 8
Hinduism
Why is Christmas Important?
Buddhism
Why is Easter Important?
Why do we have so many Churches?
Sikhism
In year 8 students develop their understanding of religions that originate in
India. They look at their beliefs and practices and how they deal with some
moral issues. They also look at the importance of the major Christian festivals
to Christians, and the differences in beliefs between different denominations.
Pupils look at the similarities & differences between and within religions. They
develop their ability to explain their own opinions and beliefs and explain why
they hold one point of view rather than another. They also develop an
understanding of what it means to belong to a religious community.
Year 9
Why do people believe in God?
Prejudice & Discrimination – The Holocaust
Martin Luther King & His beliefs
Malcolm X & Islam today
Apartheid in South Africa
What do I believe?
The theme of year 9 is for pupils to examine moral issues and understand the
religious perspective in preparation for the work they will do at KS4. They
also develop the ability to argue for one point of view rather than another.
Through the year they look at how different groups have been discriminated
against and how people have been motivated to change society because of
their religious beliefs. Many of these topics look at issues of fairness, equality
and racism.
They also study Islam, and it’s beliefs and practices. At the end the year
they are encouraged to express their own beliefs and values in a presentation
or piece of art work.
KS4
Year 10
Religious Studies is considered an academic subject. It enables you develop
essay writing skills; develop your own arguments and opinions. At GCSE
pupils look at moral issues from a Christian and Muslim perspective. These
include abortion, euthanasia, marriage, divorce, sexism, racism, and religion
and the media. There is no coursework and at the end of the year pupils take
a 2 hour exam which is 50% of their GCSE.
We study Edexcel religion & Life – syllabus A section A
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gcse/rs/gcse/1481/
Year 11
In year 11 we continue to look at moral issues from a Christian & Muslim
perspective. These include capital punishment, war, pacifism, bullying,
pollution and the environment, how Christians make decisions and medical
issues.
Many of the issues studied at key stage 4 are often written about in
newspapers and magazines or featured in documentaries and on the news.
Parents can assist their pupils by bringing these articles to their attention, and
discussing these issues at home. This may assist pupils in developing their
own viewpoints and thinking about the reasons for their opinions.
We study Edexcel religion & Life – syllabus A section H.
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gcse/rs/gcse/
Pupils can continue their studies at KS5 by studying Philosophy & Ethics.
KS5
At key stage 5 pupils examine philosophical arguments for the existence for
God and in Ethics the basis for moral decision-making. They develop their
essay writing skills, which are necessary & useful for many professional
careers. Pupils also develop the ability to analyse moral issues and ethical
standpoints and the reasoning behind them.
The skills developed at A level enable many students to study at degree level
and degrees can have a Philosophical or Ethical component. Our students
have gone on to study a wide range of subjects from Philosophy and
Theology to computer Studies.
Quotes from the Religious Studies department of University of Wales
“We had one graduate who became a midwife… her degree will enable her to
practice in developing countries”
“The Police ……..are keen to have people who understand how religious
communities work”
“…recent graduates have gone into the media, armed forces, Inland Revenue,
Librarianship ….”
We study Edexcel Religious Studies AS & A2
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gce/rs