Religious Studies

The principal aim of RS in both the Kent Syllabus and at OPGS is:

To engage pupils in systematic enquiry into significant human questions which religion and worldviews address, so that they can develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions, as well as develop responses of their own.

The Year 7 & 8 curriculum broadly follows the Kent Agreed Syllabus for Religious Studies.  Each unit of work is based around an enquiry question and is answered from a range of religious and non-religious worldviews.  The worldviews that are covered include Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Humanism and Atheism.  Students are introduced to ethical questions and moral dilemmas.

The Year 9 Keystone curriculum is based around philosophical and ethical enquiry questions.  This is to promote high level critical thinking and to engage students in a range of religious and philosophical questions, stretching and challenging them to debate their responses to these ultimate questions.

In Years 10 and 11, all students take a full GCSE in Religious Studies.  This comprises of studying Islam and Christianity in depth, understanding how belief affects behaviour and applying this to ethical units in the specification.

In the Sixth Form, students opt to study A-level RS.  This comprises of three components: Philosophy of Religion; Religion and Ethics; Developments in Christian Thought.

As a department, we fully support and encourage the whole school ethos in the areas of kindness, tolerance and respect.  Students can demonstrate a love of learning outside the classroom on our enrichment days, which include activities such as trips to sixth form conferences.  We also have a cross-curricular enrichment day with Geography looking at issues around sustainability.  The department also welcomes visitors into the classroom for students to hear a first-hand perspective on faith and belief.

• Do we need to prove God’s existence?  This investigation enables pupils to learn in depth from different religions and worldviews about the place of belief, exploring why Buddhists are relatively unconcerned about the idea of God, why this is a vital matter for Christians, and why atheists reject the idea of God. The concept of proof is examined alongside related ideas about evidence, belief, perspective and interpretation.
• Why is there suffering in the world? This investigation enables pupils to learn in depth from different religious and spiritual ways of life about their view of suffering, and how people within a religion or world view understand and live with suffering in the world around them
• Is religion a power for peace or a cause of conflict in the world? This investigation enables pupils to learn in depth from different religious examples of engagement with conflict and peace, exploring the issues. 

Exam Board: Edexcel Beliefs in Action B

Qualification aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

• develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism
• develop their knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings, and sources of wisdom and authority, including through their reading of key religious texts, other texts, and scriptures of the religions they are studying
• develop their ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject
• engage with questions of belief, value, meaning, purpose, truth, and their influence on human life
• reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and will contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and global community
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Islam and Christianity
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts, where appropriate, which support contemporary religious faith
• understand the influence of religion on individuals, communities and societies
• understand significant common and divergent views between and/or within religions and beliefs
• apply knowledge and understanding in order to analyse questions related to religious beliefs and values
• construct well-informed and balanced arguments on matters concerned with religious beliefs and values.

 

Area of Study 1 – Islam

Area of Study 2 – Christianity

Overview

The areas of study comprise a study in depth of Islam and Christianity as lived religions within the United Kingdom and throughout the world, and their beliefs and teachings on life.

Exam board: OCR

 

The OCR A Level in Religious Studies builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established at GCSE (9–1). Learners are introduced to a more advanced approach to Religious Studies, and develop a deeper understanding of the beliefs, teachings and philosophy they study.

 

OCR’s A Level in Religious Studies encourages learners to:

• develop their interest in a rigorous study of religion and belief and relate it to the wider world
• develop knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of Christianity
• develop an understanding and appreciation of religious thought and its contribution to individuals, communities and societies
• adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion
• reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes