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Religion and World Views
Religion and beliefs inform our values and are reflected in what we say and how we behave. Religion and Worldviews (RW) is, therefore, an important subject, developing moral awareness and social understanding of the religious and non-religious beliefs which form part of contemporary society. Religion and Worldviews provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong, and what it means to be human. It can develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the major religions and worldviews that offer answers to questions such as these. Learning intends to highlight diversity both within and between groups and make students aware of the influence of their own personal worldview in order to develop skills to interpret the knowledge they need to be successful adults.
Religions and Worldviews investigates what it means to be human. It is a vital part of students’ spiritual, moral and social education as well as playing a role in developing critical thinking. Learning about the beliefs and cultures of others through the study of RW helps to foster a culture of tolerance and inclusion, which is vital for students to thrive in the modern world.
Year 8 Curriculum
At Key Stage 3 topics covered include facts and traditions from the main world religions as well as non-religious beliefs and analysis of sources of authority. The Religion and Worldviews units take on a thematic approach and are aimed to encourage a reflective hermeneutic enquiry which allows students to discuss their own opinions on the topic being covered. Students are also encouraged to evaluate the impact of religion and assess the relevance it has to religious believers in their local communities and worldwide. Year 8 study is designed to provide a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum whilst providing students with the best possible foundation of knowledge and skills to take forward to GCSE.
Areas of Study
Autumn
DQ: Is the Bible the most important source of authority?
Spring
DQ: Can you believe in God if there is evil in the world?
Summer
DQ: Does religion support a diverse society?
Key Skills
| Assessment Objective | Blooms Taxonomy | |
|---|---|---|
| A01 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief including: | Remembering Comprehending |
| Beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Influence on individuals, communities and societies. | Applying Analysing |
|
| Similarities and differences within and/or between religions and belief | Analysing Synthesising |
|
| A02 | Analyse and evaluate aspects of religion and belief, including their significance and influence. | Analysing Synthesising Evaluating |
Assessment
Teachers will constantly be assessing students’ skills in every lesson but, each term, there will be one key assessment task that will allow teachers to give detailed, qualitative feedback to students. Feedback will be provided in accordance with the Collegiate Feedback Policy.
Key Resources
Explore RE by Steve Clarke, Jan Hayes and Lesley Parry. Hodder Education ISBN:978-1-5104-5857-4
Independent Study & Wider Reading
https://www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/religious-education/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/11_16/site/re.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/
How you can support your child with KS3 RW?
•Encourage wider reading around the subject
•Learn key terms with them
•Support with revision: mini tests; flash cards; quote banks; visible posters around the home/bedroom.
•Help them to stick to timings and deadlines when completing and handing in Independent Study.
•Direct them to use the Closing the Gap resources on Pupilshare and Google Classroom
Year 9 & 10 Curriculum
All students in Year 9 will begin study for their GCSE exam, which they will sit at the end of Year 10. GCSE Religious Studies gives students the opportunity to study two world religions in detail. Throughout the course students will examine the key features of Christianity and Islam and will be able to compare their similarities and differences and the role they have in the world today. Students will study the values and traditions that form the basis of these religions and will also learn how they approach the moral issues which are evident in modern societies. In addition to these religious beliefs, the course enables students to consider non-religious and humanist views.
Areas of Study
Students study issues related to the topics below from a general and non-religious perspective as well as those from Christian and Muslim perspectives. Students will be required to define and use key terminology, assess the impact religious beliefs have on Christians and Muslims when making key decisions, explain traditions and beliefs relating to Christianity and Islam, and evaluate their own opinions on the topics being discussed whilst considering the views of people from these two religions.
Component 1: Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World
Written Examination: 2 hours
50% of qualification
Students will study the following four themes. All questions are compulsory.
Theme 1: Issues of Relationships
Theme 2: Issues of Life and Death
Theme 3: Issues of Good and Evil
Theme 4: Issues of Human Rights
Component 2: Study of Christianity
Written Examination: 1 hour
25% of qualification
Students will study beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity.
Component 3: Study of a World Faith
Written Examination: 1 hour
25% of qualification
Candidates will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of one world faith – Islam.
Key Skills
Following the assessment model, in RE, students focus on skills that underpin the requirements of the GCSE specification. These are outlined below.
| Assessment Objective | Blooms Taxonomy | |
|---|---|---|
| A01 | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief including: | Remembering Comprehending |
| Beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Influence on individuals, communities and societies. | Applying Analysing |
|
| Similarities and differences within and/or between religions and belief | Analysing Synthesising |
|
| A02 | Analyse and evaluate aspects of religion and belief, including their significance and influence. | Analysing Synthesising Evaluating |
Key Resources
WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies Route A by Joy White, Chris Owens, Ed Pawson, Amanda Ridley. ISBN: 9781471866340.
My Revision Notes WJEC EDUQAS Religious Studies Route A by Joy White, Gavin Craigen.
ISBN: 9781510414624.
Revision resources can be found on Pupilshare and Google Classroom.
Independent Study and Wider Reading
www.reonline.org.uk
www.educationquizzes.com/ks3/religious-education
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/11_16/site/re.shtml
www.biblegateway.com
www.islam-guide.com
www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/
www.request.org.uk
Exam Support
www.eduqas.co.uk
www.hoddereducation.co.uk/parent-hub
How you can support your child with GCSE study
- Encourage wider reading around the subject
- Support with revision: mini tests; flash cards; quote banks; visible posters around the home/bedroom.
- Purchase copies of the exam text book and revision book.
- Help them to stick to timings and deadlines when completing and handing in Independent Study.
- Direct them to use the Closing the Gap resources on Google Classroom
Impact
Religious and Worldviews develops pupils’…
• knowledge and understanding of, and their ability to respond to religious, non-religious and world views
• understanding and respect for different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stances), through exploring issues within and between faiths;
• understanding of the influence of faith and belief on individuals, societies, communities and cultures;
• skills of enquiry and response through the use of religious vocabulary, questioning and empathy;
• skills of reflection, expression, application, analysis and evaluation of beliefs, values and practices, and the communication of personal responses to these.
Religion and Worldviews encourages pupils to…
• consider challenging questions of the meaning and purpose of life; beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human;
• understand the influence of religion on individuals, families, communities and cultures;
• learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring questions of meaning and their own beliefs;
• learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed responses to religious, moral and social issues;
• develop their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for life as citizens in a plural, global society;
• develop respect for and sensitivity to others, in particular those whose faiths and beliefs are different from their own.
Religion and Worldviews enhances pupils’…
• awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression;
• ability to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to establish personal worldviews and communicate their responses.