Religious Education
Religious Education Curriculum Statement
Intent
A student of RE will be encouraged and supported in finding new ways to think about the world, their place in it and the views and beliefs of fellow citizens. There will be a focus on creating a no risk environment in the classroom where there will be a theme of ‘there are no wrong or right answers’.
Difficult ideas and questions will be investigated across the key stages and pupils/students will be encouraged to realise that the overarching theme of the curriculum will be learning from religion/philosophy/ethics and using this knowledge to become a more fully rounded individual.
The core is essentially AO1, learning about religion/philosophy (knowledge), AO2 learning from religion/philosophy (application of knowledge) and to be able to communicate the essence of both.
The RE curriculum will:
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Encourage the development of the core values of the academy, namely wisdom, curiosity, generosity, courage and passion.
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Focus on important ethical issues that all people will encounter at some point in their lives. Examples are why is there evil and suffering in the world, what happens when we die, what shapes peoples’ beliefs about religion, sexuality, contraception, capital punishment and issues surrounding euthanasia to name a few.
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PSHE, SMSC and British Values are built into lessons across all year groups allowing students to explore important issues in society. Examples are banishing the idea that Islam embraces terrorism, why anti-Semitism cannot be tolerated, freedom of speech, cultural identity and tolerance.
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RE has an extra-curricular commitment through the lower school Humanities club and the Philosophy club which meet on a weekly basis. These are a forum for wide ranging debate and considering new ways of thinking. These also develop transferable skills in thinking, analysis and synthesis which are relevant to all areas of the curriculum.
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There is a strong focus on developing useful soft skills. This includes debating/questioning, working with others on collaborative exercises and delivering effective presentations to peers and staff.
Implementation
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To implement the curriculum there is a wide range of resources to support experienced staff and the many non-specialists that deliver the subject.
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Non-specialists are closely supported by more experienced staff.
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Staff are encouraged to choose what they deliver and how they deliver it within a flexible series of schemes of work.
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Ruskin RE has built strong links with other RE department within the federation and enjoys sharing resources and ideas in formal and informal environments.
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There is an established practice in the use of artifacts and experiential learning.
Impact
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The department consistently focuses on raising the awareness of pupils/students about the issues that occur throughout life.
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The importance of considering an alternative world view is core to RE’s pedagogy, as is the theme of tolerance and compassion.
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The overarching theme is to support the development of enlightened citizens who understand the dangers of oppression and a blinkered world view.
Please go to the foot of this page in order to access the RE curriculum map.
Right of withdrawal
In law, parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child(ren) from collective acts of religious worship and/or RE lessons. Please click on the link below to read the Priory Trust's guidance for families.