Religious Education

Introduction

All students should extend and deepen their knowledge and understanding of a range of religions and worldviews, recognising their local, national and global context. Building on their prior learning, they should learn to appreciate religions and worldviews in systematic ways. They should draw on a wide range of subject-specific language confidently and flexibly, learning to use the concepts of religious study to describe the nature of religion. They should understand how beliefs influence the values and lives of individuals and groups, and how religions and worldviews have an impact on wider current affairs.

The Department offer the students the opportunity to:

  • reflect on the importance of a system of personal belief;
  • recognise the place faith has in the lives of people;
  • understand the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of their actions for themselves and others;
  • be creative, questioning within a broad Christian framework that recognises the importance of experience, personal values and respect for the beliefs of others;
  • recognise, respect and celebrate cultural diversity.

KS3

YEARS 7, 8 and 9
In Year 7, 8 and 9, students study core units on Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Buddhism, Humanism and other worldviews; as well as thematic units on festivals, texts, rites of passage, the environment and the arts. Students develop their RE knowledge in Years 7 and 8 in order to use this in Year 9 when exploring ethical issues.

The aims of the programme of study are:

  • To enable students to be familiar with a body of Religious knowledge, principles, skills and vocabulary.
  • To contribute to the moral, social, ethical and religious development of the students.
  • To develop an awareness in students of the implications of Religion for the individual, the community and the environment.
  • To allow students to develop informed opinions and be able to support them by reasonable arguments that recognises the possible limitations of the ideas and concepts used.

In Year 9, students have the opportunity to take part in the Archbishop of York award. This is an opportunity for students to recognise how Faith can affect someone's actions and for them to ‘become the change they want to see’. In this course, students go through three educational modules of Faith, Hope and Action, inevitably leading for the students to organise and lead five different volunteering events: at home, in school and in the local community. At the end of the course students will receive a certificate and badge to celebrate their hard work.

KS4

YEARS 10 AND 11
At Key Stage 4 all students study towards a GCSE in Religious Education accredited by the AQA Examination Board.  The modules that we choose to study at GCSE level allow students to investigate ethical and moral issues at a deeper level, investigate further the reasons behind religious belief and to understand these in relation to the multi-ethnic, multi-faith society of the UK.  Students are encouraged to explore their own beliefs and express and explain their own opinions about religious and moral problems.

The GCSE units are:

  • Christian Practices and beliefs
  • Islam: Beliefs and practices
  • Thematic Studies

The aims of the programme of study are:

  • To enable students to be familiar with a body of Religious knowledge, principles, skills and vocabulary.
  • To develop an awareness in students of the implications of Religion for the individual, the community and the environment.
  • To allow students to develop informed opinions and be able to support them by reasonable arguments that recognises the possible limitations of the ideas and concepts used.

Progression
Religious Studies is an extremely well-respected academic subject.  Students can progress from this course on to AS and A2 level Ethics, Philosophy of Religion and Development in religious Thought.

If students are looking for a career in law, medicine, social work, teaching or any other job that involves working with people, Religious Studies is the subject to do.

Qualification

Examining Body

GCSE  (9-1)

AQA

                       Paper 1: Christian beliefs and Practices

                                        Islam beliefs and Practices

                        Paper 2: Thematic Studies

KS5

Exam Board: OCR’s A Level in Religious Studies (H573)
Our A Level in Religious Studies provides a coherent and thought-provoking programme of study. Students develop their understanding and appreciation of religious beliefs and teachings, as well as the disciplines of ethics and the philosophy of religion. The course requires students to be enthusiastic and disciplined.  This course suits students who can cope with challenging ideas.  It will develop the skills needed to examine ethical, historical and religious issues in a critical, analytical and understanding way.

The 3 exam components focus on: 

  • In Philosophy of religion learners will study philosophical issues and questions raised by religion and belief.
  • Religion and ethics is characterised by the study of ethical language and thought, with exploration of key concepts and the works of influential thinkers.
  • Developments in religious thought provides an opportunity for the systematic study of one religious tradition.

The key skills that students can develop during this course are:

  • To encourage the students to develop an interest in and enthusiasm for a rigorous study of religion
  • To treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge and understanding appropriate to the study of religion
  • To encourage the students to use an enquiring and empathetic approach to the study of religion

Progression
The subject is good preparation for a career in education, journalism, law and media.  Ethics produces students who have an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints and an ability to come to clear, balanced decisions.  These skills are highly valued by employers.

Qualification

Examining Body

A level -Linear

OCR

                Paper 1: Philosophy

                Paper 2: Ethics

                 Paper 3: Development in Christian/Islamic Thought

For more detailed information on the course content and assessment please refer to the examination board website: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-religious-studies-h173-h573-from-2016/

Trips and Visits

  • Trip to local places of worship such as Church/Mosque/Gurdwara/Temple etc
  • Trip to Westminster Abbey and The Islamic Cultural Centre London
  • Visits from Religious Leaders/scholars and philosopher

Enrichment Activities

  • Interfaith Week
  • Spirited Art Competition
  • World View Project
  • Archbishop of York Award
  • Community projects

THE RE TEAM

Mrs N Ali Curriculum Leader
nal@slougheton.com
Miss D Lombard Associate assistant Headteacher
Miss F Shallow Assisstant Headteacher
Mrs C Goodyear Assisstant Headteacher
Miss L Mason RE Teacher/KS3 Co-ordinator
Mr A Bhatti Head of Year 9
Mr J Langley RE Teacher
   

 

RE Statement for Entitlement for Church Schools

The Contribution of Religious Education to the post 16 Curriculum

RE Curriculum Intent

RSHE Principles and Charter

Sixth Form Religious Studies Trip to Question Time,

Tuesday 6th February 2024, 13:30 – 15:00

Location: St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey

Our Sixth Form students of Philosophy and Ethics have participated in Question Time hosted by Westminster Abbey’s Learning department. All students had a fabulous time and an exciting experience. This trip was a great relevance for students as some of them study politics and others Law alongside Philosophy and Ethics and it brought everything together for them. Students’ questions on social activism, current UK education system, further education accessibility for all, views on 16+ study of English and Maths, media representation of faith communities, treatments of immigrants, and crime rates in young people were answered by a panel of politicians, activists and faith leaders.

One of our student’s question was picked for panel to respond to which was exciting. She was praised for asking such a great question. 

Students had an opportunity to explore parts of the Westminster Abbey too. They witnessed a communal service at the Abbey and saw the coronation chair. Students were awed by the amount of history they were surrounded by at the Abbey.

Here is what some of students said about their experience;

Inaaya. The trip as a whole was a fun experience as it wasn’t restricted to Question Time only, we were able to see a communal service and take aesthetic pictures. The Question Time in particular was eye opening as we were able to see different views and opinions on key topics in the UK which affect the youth.

Haajar. I believe that the trip to Westminster Abbey for Question Time was a great opportunity to see the views of people from different backgrounds on topics that are very relevant to young people (Sixth Form students). 

Each member of the panel had a unique perspective on education, social media, politics, and discrimination, but were united when they insisted that we should “be the change that we desperately need to see” in the world. 

Year 7 Trip to St. Mary’s Church January 2024 (NAL)

Slough and Eton RE department organised a Year 7 trip to St. Mary’s Church on 16th of January 2024. 100 Year 7 students took the opportunity to go to our local Church, St. Mary’s Church to explore the Christian Faith. The trip was a huge success with students and staff. Year 7 enjoyed the walk to Church as well as having a fantastic time there. Students had a very interactive session with Fr. Scott Lamb, who spoke about the role of the church in worship and local community. He also shared some similarities and differences in Christianity and other world religions. 

Year 7 were in awe to see the inside of the Church. They asked a lot of very intelligent, well thought questions and got to see the first built, abstract stained-glass window! I was very impressed with our students’ attention to details and link to worship and Christian history. They conducted themselves in a very respectful manner and were perfect ambassadors to school. They were a credit to Slough Eton. 

Students who chose to stay in school for the afternoon was given as interactive session delivered in the Main Hall. They worked well during the afternoon and enjoyed learning about the Westminster Abbey, its role in Christian worship and its place in Christian community.