Aims and purposes of RE
RE offers opportunities for pupils to:
- learn to understand and respect different religions, beliefs, values and traditions (including ethical life stances), and understand their influence on individuals, societies, communities and cultures;
- explore issues within, across and between faiths and consider questions of meaning and purpose in life;
- learn about religious and ethical teaching, enabling them to make reasoned and informed judgements on religious and moral issues;
- develop their sense of identity and belonging, preparing them for adult life as citizens in a plural society;
- develop skills of enquiry and response in analysis, expression, reflection, evaluation and application, through the use of distinctive language, listening and empathy.
Content of RE at key stage 3
In RE, pupils acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of:
- Christianity and the other principal religions represented in Great Britain (following the model syllabuses, they are Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism);
- how these religions influence individuals, communities, society and the world;
- the nature of belief, religion, philosophy and ethics.
Units that students learn:
| YEAR 8 |
YEAR 9 |
| Putting belief and faith into practice |
What is the truth? |
| Prejudice |
How did we get here? |
| Poverty |
Science and Ethics |
| War and Peace |
The Sanctity of life |
| Evil and Suffering |
Interfaith Relationships |
| The Environment |
Are there more questions than answers |