RE
Subject Leader: Mrs E Nottage
Department Staff Teaching
- Mrs E Nottage
- Mr J Sladden
- Mr A Staiano
RE
All students will gain a foundational understanding of major religious traditions and how their beliefs and practices have shaped and influenced the world we live in today.
Particular focus is given to Christianity where we explore major theological and philosophical concepts. We explore how these beliefs impact an individual’s worldview, behaviour and morality. Through the study of ethics students have the opportunity to explore the key ethical issues which society faces today. Students will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to be able to reach their own judgements upon these ethical issues. In our exploration of Philosophy, we look at foundational arguments for and against the existence of God, how we can understand ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and epistemology. To broaden the students’ knowledge of world faiths, we look at Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism independently. This enhances the students’ understanding of a diverse range of cultures and will help students to make sense of the world.
Students will leave Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School with a deep knowledge of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. They will have an appreciation of cultural diversity and will have honed key skills such as: analytical and critical thinking; the ability to work with abstract ideas; and written and research skills.
KS3 Religious Education
Key stage three students focus primarily on Abrahamic religions. In year 7, we will focus on understanding the broader narratives of the Old and New Testament and the life of Jesus. Students study how the concept of monotheism derived from Abraham and the emergence of world faiths from this belief. We conclude the year by focusing on the second most popular faith in the UK, Islam. Throughout year 7, connections will be made between the theology of the three Abrahamic religions.
Later in the key stage we will investigate the wider topics of: Hinduism, Buddhism, Life after Death and Philosophy of Religion. During the summer terms of year 8, we work cross-curricula with the History department studying the Holocaust. From the Religious Education perspective,we look into the topic of Prejudice and Discrimination, focusing on anti-semitism in WWII. Throughout the topical units, we will focus predominantly on Christianity. However, the views of World Religions will also be incorporated into the curriculum. This will provide breadth and variety, allowing students to deepen their knowledge of other cultures and systems of belief.
KS4 Religious Education
At key stage four students follow the AQA “Short Course Religious Studies” syllabus. The GCSE is one examined component that is divided into two sections: The study of religions: beliefs and teachings and Thematic Studies: religious, philosophical and ethical studies. Within ‘section A’ students study core teachings and beliefs of Christianity and Buddhism. In ‘section B’ students study the following themes: Religion, Peace and Conflict and Religion and Relationships. The syllabus explores questions about belief, values, meaning, truth and purpose. It gives students the opportunity to critically analyse contentious ethical issues and to form independent judgements upon religious issues. Students will gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will hone the key transferable skills of critical thinking, analysis, and research, as well as the ability to work with abstract ideas.
Overall, we aim to give students a broad and enriching experience. Throughout their education, students will engage with good quality teaching and experience extracurricular opportunities in the forms of visiting speakers and trips.