Religious Studies
HEAD OF DEPARMTENT: MRS ABEL
KS3
INTENT
We aim to provide students with the opportunity to understand and experience the breadth and depth of the Roman Catholic tradition, to enable students to deepen their religious understanding and to be able to communicate it effectively an to bring clarity to the relationship between faith, life and culture. We also seek to raise awareness of other Christian traditions and different religious traditions in our society so that our students can understand and respect them. Religious Education at St Bernard’s aims to enable students to engage in learning that helps develop their faith as well as acquire knowledge necessary to make academic progress and to provide a curriculum that presents opportunities to explore values and virtues that support the ethos of the school.
IMPLEMENTATION
Religious Education is a subject that requires a depth of knowledge and academic skills which we seek to develop across Key Stage 3. We aim to add to students’ knowledge in a coherent, developmental way. For example, in Year 7 during the first term, students are taught how to use the Bible to find specific passages. This is then developed further as they progress through the Key Stage by guiding students in how to use scripture to support arguments. Throughout the course, knowledge and content are revisited to help embed learning and assess understanding.
In order to bring clarity to the relationship between faith and life and faith and culture, a range of teaching methods are used to enable students to see the relevance and gain a hands-on experience of the faith, including the use of artefacts and the School Chapel. We discuss issues that are relevant in the world today, for example, in topics on Creation, we explore stewardship with a focus on our responsibility to care for our planet. Students are encouraged to make a difference in society based on the knowledge that they can apply from teaching and learning taking place in lessons.
IMPACT
Students will have developed the skills to be able to ask and consider answers to questions about meaning and purpose in life, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. They will also understand the impact of religious belief on individuals, communities and societies, and be able to show understanding of religious ideas different to their own. They will use their skills of reflection and critical thinking when deciding how to act in accordance with an informed conscience. They will be able to express their ideas with clarity and creativity. Students will be ready for the demands of further study in Religious Education and have the foundation of skills in order to approach their Key Stage 4 studies. Ultimately, the outcome of excellent Religious Education is that students will become religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills to think ethically and reflect spiritually.
KS4
INTENT
Through their preparation for GCSE, students are encouraged to build on the knowledge and skills developed at Key Stage 3. This enables them to present informed responses to different religious beliefs and practices, and to critically evaluate the beliefs and practices of Catholic Christianity and Judaism. This will prepare them for life in a multi-faith society, and to appreciate the demands of religious commitment in everyday life. Religious Education at St Bernard’s aims to enable students to engage in learning that helps develop their faith as well as acquire knowledge necessary to make academic progress and to provide a curriculum that presents opportunities to explore values and virtues that support the ethos of the school.
IMPLEMENTATION
Religious Education is a subject that requires a depth of knowledge and academic skills which we seek to continue to develop throughout Key Stage 4. We aim to add to students’ knowledge in a coherent, developmental way. Throughout the course and at points during lessons, knowledge and content are revisited to help embed learning and assess understanding. This is particularly important where prior knowledge is being used as a foundation for new learning or to develop knowledge in greater depth. For example, when exploring issues of human rights and social justice, teachings from the creation accounts in Genesis, about humans being made in the image of God, are drawn upon.
At Key Stage 4, across 2 years, all students complete the AQA Religious Studies B syllabus, completing papers in Catholic Christianity (50%) and Themes (25%) and Judaism (25%). Students are made aware of the knowledge and skills needed to make progress throughout the course with regular reference to sources of authority, relevant scripture and how to answer the different styles of questions that seek to test their knowledge, understanding and evaluation skills.
IMPACT
Students will have developed the skills to be able to ask and consider answers to questions about meaning and purpose in life, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. They will also understand the impact of religious belief on individuals, communities and societies, and be able to show understanding of religious ideas different to their own. They will use their skills of reflection and critical thinking when deciding how to act in accordance with an informed conscience. They will be able to express their ideas with clarity and creativity. Students wishing to take their studies further in Religious Education will be equipped for the demands of the subject at Key Stage 5. Ultimately, the outcome of excellent Religious Education is that students will become religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills to think ethically and reflect spiritually.
KS5
INTENT
At A Level we provide students with the skills and opportunities to develop logical and critically evaluative approaches to a wide range of religious, ethical and philosophical issues. Students also develop high-level literacy skills through the careful construction of written work that is evaluative and persuasive. Through General R.E we aim to provide every KS5 student with the opportunity to enhance their academic studies through the discussion of curriculum-related issues, as well as widening their educational experience beyond their A Level studies. In this area, we aim to enable students to engage in learning that helps develop their faith and to provide a curriculum that presents opportunities to explore values and virtues that support the ethos of the school.
IMPLEMETATION
The curriculum is implemented through a range of rich, pedagogical approaches. We are transparent with our intentions and encourage students to reflect upon their progress and how their learning happens, enabling them to become lifelong learners. We value problem solving, questioning skills and through these methods they are able to develop critical understanding which puts them in prime position for future successes.
Learners at KS5 develop a range of skills including deep analysis of philosophical and ethical issues, which enable them to respond meaningfully to worldwide issues and eternal theological problems such as Environmental Ethics, matters of life and death and key questions around our origins. They will be able to capitalise upon skills initiated in KS4, being able to analyse sources and evaluate viewpoints which form the core of this subject.
At Key Stage 5, students who choose A-Level Religious Studies complete papers in Philosophy of Religion, Religion and Ethics and Textual Studies, with three equally weighted examinations at the end of Year 13.
IMPACT
The aim is that students who study at Key Stage 5 appreciate a wide range of viewpoints and life experiences and they are able to engage critically and intellectually with sources and situations. Students will be able to communicate clearly with peers as well as adults so that are equipped and qualified for their next level of study or work.
Students will have developed the skills to be able to ask and consider answers to questions about meaning and purpose in life, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. They will also understand the impact of religious belief on individuals, communities and societies, and be able to show understanding of religious ideas different to their own. They will use their skills of reflection and critical thinking and be able to express their ideas with clarity and creativity.
Ultimately, the outcome of excellent Religious Education is that students will become religiously literate and engaged young people who have the knowledge, understanding and skills to think ethically and reflect spiritually.