Religion and Beliefs

Overview of Department

Religious and Beliefs is about understanding what makes people “tick”. At Rye College, we teach the East Sussex Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education which is "open, broad, exploring a range of religious and non-religious worldviews." This syllabus has as its principal aim: to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living. The syllabus reflects the fact that "the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian," while taking care to "accord equal respect to different religious convictions and to non-religious belief." Within the curriculum, core modules explaining the key festivals of Christianity sit alongside modules studying Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Buddhism as well as Humanist and other non-religious beliefs.

The Education Act (2022) says that RE is a "necessary part of a broad and balanced curriculum" and every pupil has a legal entitlement to RE. One of the key roles of Religion and Beliefs is to support community cohesion and mutual understanding. In the UK, parents have the right to withdraw their children from RE on the grounds that they wish to make their own provision.

Curriculum Statement: Values and Aims

Our Religion and Beliefs curriculum aims to give students opportunities to explore the fundamental questions of human life and the spiritual dimension of human experience. Students are introduced to the beliefs, values and practices of different faiths and non-religious belief-systems, developing self-awareness as they reflect on their own views.

There is a strong emphasis on the acquisition of subject-specific vocabulary, knowledge and skills. Students will develop the key skills of analysis, critical thinking, evaluation, interpretation, and recall. Reading, understanding and analysing religious texts as sources of authority for religious worldviews is a key part of the course.

As well as examining ultimate questions about meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God and reality, students will consider how religion and belief impacts the way in which individuals go about their lives, looking at ethical issues around war and conflict, society and relationships. We aim for students to be familiar with the way that religions and beliefs shape the society in which they live – local, national and global. The curriculum, aligned with the SACRE (East Sussex locally-agreed curriculum), builds knowledge and skills year upon year, shaping philosophical and theological thinkers who can engage with and clearly express philosophical and moral ideas and religious beliefs and practices. The acquisition of relational skills associated with understanding others, critical reflection, and respectful dialogue and debate will be highly valued in every walk of life and future career.

At the end of the course students will be more:

• Religiously literate

• Empathetic

• Respectful of the religious beliefs and practices of others.

• Resilient to extremism

• Advocates of British Values

• Culturally aware

• Ready to challenge injustice and false perceptions

• Able to critically evaluative of their own place in the world and their own world-views.

GCSE Religious Studies

Religious Studies (RS) draws on lots of different skills from different disciplines and is an excellent foundation for Language(s), Literature, Sociology, Philosophy, Law, Psychology, Humanities and creative subjects in Further Education, amongst others. RS enables you to form your own opinions based on a thorough understanding of different beliefs. It gives opportunities for self reflection and confidence in constructing reasoned argument. The course involves engagement with texts and core religious beliefs and consideration of current affairs and the ideas of influential leaders and thinkers in issues such as war and conflict, society and relationships. Skills developed in RS include communication, critical thinking and empathy.

A love of reading is important to succeed in Religious Studies. Understanding texts and viewpoints is a key part of the course. An openness to new ideas and respectful discussion and debate is crucial to getting the most out of this subject. This subject is assessed through two exams each 1 hour and 45 minutes long

Paper 1 The study of religious beliefs, teachings and practices Students will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of two focal religions – Judaism and Christianity - and the influence of these on individuals, communities and societies. Sources of wisdom and authority are considered including tradition, community wisdom, and sacred texts. Examples of topics covered within this component are Jewish mourning rituals, festivals and food laws.
Paper 2 Four Religious, philosophical and ethical themes. Possible themes include “Relationships and families” “Peace and Conflict” “Human rights and social justice”. In this paper students need to show awareness of different religious and non-religious perspectives on issues studied. They must be able to show how people’s beliefs and practices (including their own) have influence in the modern world. Examples of “topics” covered within the bigger Themes include: Human sexuality, Abortion, Euthanasia, Human Rights, Wealth and Poverty

GCSE Religious Studies Exam Specification

GCSE Religious Studies Short Course Exam Specification

Knowledge Framework

At the heart of our curriculum is a commitment to providing pupils with powerful knowledge and a deep understanding of each subject. This framework illustrates the key knowledge, concepts and skills that pupils will acquire, as well as the ways of thinking and working that are unique to the discipline. By building learning progressively over time, we enable pupils to become confident, knowledgeable and successful learners.

RE Knowledge Framework

Progression Maps

Our subject progression maps set out how students build and deepen their knowledge, understanding and skills over time. They make learning progression clear, ensuring that students develop greater expertise through a curriculum that is carefully sequenced and rooted in the unique nature of each subject.

Religion and Beliefs Progression Map

Long Term Plan

Our long-term plans show the units of work taught in each subject and when they are taught. They provide an overview of the curriculum across the academic year and demonstrate how learning is sequenced within each subject.

Religion and Beliefs Long Term Plan

Unit End Points

From our progression maps, we have identified end points for each unit of study. These make clear what students should know, understand and be able to do by the end of each unit. They ensure that learning builds over time in a logical and coherent sequence, helping students to secure the knowledge and skills needed for future learning. Teachers regularly check that students are secure in these endpoints and provide support where needed.

Religion and Beliefs End Points

Career Progression Routes

Religious Studies is good preparation for careers involving social care, teaching, law, politics and economics, coaching, community and charity work, environmental care, arts and performance and many others. More widely, employers are looking for the good self-awareness which RS is building as a key skill. And the ability to understand and relate well to others with different backgrounds and experiences is invaluable in any workplace.