Religious Education

Autumn Term: Judaism

This is the beginning of our in-depth study of each religion. Students will have one lesson a week on Judaism, focusing on key beliefs about God and important practices within the faith. As Judaism is the first of the Abrahamic faiths, it is taught first to facilitate learning and comparisons to Christianity and Islam.

Spring Term: Christianity

Christianity is the second Abrahamic faith we study, as it follows on from Jewish beliefs. Students are taught the key differences between Christianity and Judaism and what caused the split between faiths. Students cover key Christian beliefs and practices over the course of the term. 

Summer Term: Islam

Islam is the final Abrahamic faith taught. Connections are made between Islamic prophets and important figures we have already studied during our Christianity and Islam units (e.g. Moses and Jesus). Students will study the Five Pillars if Islam and key Islamic beliefs about Allah.

Autumn term: Hinduism

In this unit students study Hinduism. Key Hindu beliefs around the Caste System, Reincarnation and practices such as Puja are covered. This is the first religion students study in depth that believe in karmic reincarnation.

Spring Term: Sikhism

Students will study the origins of Sikhism with Guru Nanak and move onto the formation of the Khalsa. Students investigate the similarities between Hinduism and Islam as these two religions form the foundations of Sikh belief.

Summer Term: Buddhism

Buddhism is the final world religion students study. This is the first religion students study which does not have a God and students will look into the complexities which surround this. They will cover key Buddhist beliefs and teachings around Nirvana, Enlightenment and the lives of Buddhist monks.

Autumn Term: God and Suffering

In this unit students study the Nature of God and how this can cause dilemmas for theists when faced with moral and natural suffering in the world. Students look at how religious believers justify suffering in a world created by a loving and powerful God. Students will then apply their knowledge on suffering to their studies into the holocaust. Students will identify which groups were targeted by the Nazis, how they were persecuted, and the impact this had on the faith of individuals and groups involved.

Spring Term: Human Rights

Students will look at human rights and equality this half term. They will evaluate the different aims of punishment and capital punishment in the name of justice, duty and our rights as human beings. Students will then begin to look at examples of important figures who have fought against oppression and how religious groups may respond to injustice within the world.

Summer Term:

Students will study numerous ethical dilemmas which are faced in the modern world, from organ donation to animal testing. Students will look at the opinions of religious believers and secular views on these matters – using knowledge gathered from their KS3 topics.

Christian Beliefs

This is the beginning of the AQA GCSE. Students will look at key Christian beliefs and where these come from. Christianity is the dominant faith globally and within the UK so it is essential students have an understanding of the faith that drives so many people’s lives and actions.

Christian Practices

In this unit students study Christian practices and where these practices originate from. Students will use their knowledge from the Christian beliefs unit to understand and explain why these practices take place.

Christian Practices / Islamic Beliefs 

Once students finish the final lessons on Christian practices, they move onto Islamic beliefs. Islam is the second largest faith globally and within the UK so it is essential students have an understanding of the faith that drives so many people’s lives and actions. As Islam is often misrepresented in the media, it is vital that student misconception s are addressed, particularly around Jihad.

Islamic Beliefs

Students continue the study intoIslamic beliefs this half term. Islam is the second largest faith globally and within the UK so it is essential students have an understanding of the faith that drives so many people’s lives and actions. As Islam is often misrepresented in the media, it is vital that student misconceptions are addressed, particularly around Jihad.

Islamic practices

In this unit students study Islamic practices and the differences between Sunni and Shia approaches to this. Students will use their knowledge from the Islamic beliefs unit to understand and explain why these practices take place and why Sunni and Shia Muslims practice slight differently.

Theme A: Relationships

This is the first of the four themes studied at GCSE. Students will learn about the importance of relationships, families as well as the legalities of different types of relationships/commitments . Using knowledge from the Christianity and Islam units, students will explain religious perspectives on issues revolving around relationships and family life.

Peace and Conflict.

In this unit students will study Christian and Muslim attitudes towards violence, war and conflict. They will use their knowledge from year 10 to evaluate whether war can ever be just, and what, if any, reasons would cause a religious believer to resort to violence to resolve conflict.

Religion and Life

This theme looks at the world around us, and how religious people navigate it. Students study complex issues such as abortion, euthanasia and environmental responsibilities, and why these are controversial topics for Christians, Muslims and non-religious people.

Crime and Punishment:

In this theme students will study causes of crime, the process of convicted someone of a crime and attitudes towards crime. It is key in this unit that students can explain aims of punishment and the Christian and Islamic attitudes towards this.

Revision

This topic is to consolidate our learning before the final exams. We will address gaps in knowledge and briefly revisit key areas of Christianity and Islam to best prepare.

This topic is to consolidate our learning before the final exams. We will address gaps in knowledge and briefly revisit key areas of Christianity and Islam to best prepare.