Religious Education / Philosophy, Ethics & Religion

Students will be supported to use a range of increasingly complex religious, moral and philosophical vocabulary to demonstrate the ability to understand and explain a range of religious and non-religious world views; recognising their local, national and global contexts.  They will use this knowledge to analyse and synthesise personal and critical responses to a range of different issues in order to form coherent, well-argued conclusions.

Key Stage 3

In Years 7 and 9 students are taught Religious Education for one period a week; students in Year 8 are taught RE twice a week, through a programme which follows Hertfordshire’s agreed syllabus. Students are also given the opportunity to engage with and discuss philosophical and ethical issues. Students will have an opportunity to develop their investigation, interpretation, reflection, empathy, evaluation, analysis, application and synthesis skills.

R.E. at Beaumont builds on the most recent national developments in R.E., in particular the Commission on Religious Education report, 2018, which advocates a “Worldviews Approach”.  Worldviews are not restricted to propositional belief but also include behavioural, experiential and attitudinal dimensions of what it means to be human.

‘A worldview is a person’s way of understanding, experiencing and responding to the world. It can be described as a philosophy of life or an approach to life.  This includes how a person understands the nature of reality and their own place in the world.  A person’s worldview is likely to influence and be influenced by their beliefs, values, behaviours, experiences, identities and commitments’ [ Religion and Worldviews: The Way Forward, p4 ]

Year 7

• Why do we do RE/Worldviews
• How was the universe created: The Bible vs. Science
• Was Jesus man or God?
• How did Christianity develop?
• How is the Bible used?
• Do our actions influence our future? (Hinduism)

Year 8

• Origins of Islam
• How is self-discipline reflected in the everyday life of a Muslim?
• Non-religious worldviews
• Ultimate Questions
• Christianity through Art
• How important is home and tradition for Jews?
• How do Sikhs achieve equality within community life?

Year 9

• Does suffering have a point? / Suffering in Buddhism?
• Forgiveness
• GCSE taster lessons
• How can we know anything? Introduction to Philosophy
• How does belief affect ethical decision-making?
• Do we need to prove God’s existence?

Assessment

Assessment in Key Stage 3:

Year 7

• Short answer questions and an evaluative piece of writing on Biblical and scientific versions of Creation
• Multiple choice questions on the Jesus topic
• End of unit test on Early Church History and the Bible
• Creating a board game on Hindu beliefs about life after death

Year 8

• End of topic test on the Origins of Islam
• Evaluation essay on Fasting
• Evaluation essay on Ultimate Questions
• Multiple choice questions on Humanism and Christianity through Art

Year 9

• Multiple choice questions on Suffering
• Evaluation essay on Forgiveness
• End of topic test on Philosophy

Key Stage 4

Students will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues. They will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas and research skills. All these skills will help prepare them for further study and life beyond education.

AQA Philosophy Ethics and Religion

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062

Component 1: Beliefs, teachings and practices in Christianity and Islam
Component 2: Religious, philosophical and ethical studies:

• Relationships and families –  Family, Marriage, Divorce, Contraception, Human Sexuality, Gender Equality, Prejudice and Discrimination
• Religion and life  –  Abortion, Euthanasia, Death and the Afterlife, Use and abuse of the environment, Natural Resources, Pollution, Animal Experimentation, Origins of the universe
• The existence of God and revelation  –  Design argument, First cause argument, Miracles, Visions, Revelation, Evil and Suffering
• Religion, crime and punishment  –  Treatment of criminals, Forgiveness, Death Penalty, Corporal Punishment, Types of crimes.

Assessment

Students complete a formal, usually exam question based, assessment at least once at the end of a topic. They are given a numerical mark and a percentage. Additionally, students will complete more regular, short tests to assess core-knowledge through knowledge tests and single exam questions.

Key Stage 5

Philosophy, Ethics and Religion ‘A’ level (OCR ‘A’ Level GCE Religious Studies H573) is offered as an option. The course comprises three components: Philosophy of Religion, Religious Ethics and Developments in Christian Thought. Students sit three, two hour exams at the end of Year 13.

http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-religious-studies-h173-h573-from-2016/

Assessment

Students complete a formal, usually exam question based, assessment after each topic. They are given a numerical mark and percentage, plus constructive written feedback using the A Level assignment mark sheet.

Extra-curricular enrichment

We often have STEP (St Albans and Harpenden Christian Education Project) into our lessons at all Key Stages to help deliver lessons ranging from ultimate questions to Jesus’ parables and Christian beliefs about life after death.

Where can Religious Education take you?

A number of our ‘A’ Level students go on to study Philosophy at university while many others use what they have learnt at school to enhance their study in a wide range of degree courses from primary school teaching to Medicine.

How parents can support their child’s learning

Ensure your child completes all home learning. Encourage your child to watch the news regularly and help and provide access to internet/library resources. Encourage an open, unprejudiced approach to other faiths and beliefs.

Useful links

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/
https://www.truetube.co.uk/
http://request.org.uk/

To see the frequently asked questions, please click here