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RE

Curriculum

RE is so much more than the study of religion. Within lessons at Ralph Thoresby students will have a chance to discuss the fundamental questions about life, understand where people’s beliefs come from and how they impact their lives. At KS3 students will explore a variety of different religions including Christianity, Islam, Judaism and also explore Humanist and Atheist thinking. Students are encouraged to question and evaluate beliefs and explore their own view on some of the big questions about life. We will explore questions like “When does life begin?”, “Is there an afterlife?” and “Is religion still relevant in modern Britain?” Students are given the opportunity to express their own opinion on these matters, and then apply religious views. Religious Education encourages tolerance and respect; we live in a diverse society in which these skills are vitals. RE at Ralph Thoresby helps students realise difference is to be celebrated not feared.

If you would like any more information on RE at Ralph Thoresby School, please contact Miss Chloe Bell, Head of RE on [email protected]

Links to SMSC and British Values

RE plays a significant role in the personal development of our students. Here at Ralph Thoresby School we want our students leave ‘religiously educated’ in order to face the demands of the contemporary world.  Our students are given the opportunity to explore different beliefs and lifestyles and RE is pivotal in fostering a respect and tolerant community.

Our students will experience and search for meaning and purpose and explore wide ranging religious traditions. They will have the opportunity to question these beliefs and explore how religion impacts the world today. Our students will also explore ethics and mortality and be giving the opportunity to challenge these through debates. RE encourages students to discuss ideas such as responsibility both personally and worldwide. In RE students are encouraged to make a personal response to right and wrong and to consider a range of responses to moral issues.RE at Ralph Thoresby School also involves exploring different cultures and gives the students’ opportunities to make links between faith and personal action in day to day life. Students will also to learn what it means to belong, to become confident in themselves and be able to respond positively to similarities and differences in our changing multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.

Courses available to take at KS4 and KS5

  • KS4: GCSE in Religious Education, Edexcel Specification B, Christianity and Islam through Ethics.
  • Year 7 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Jerusalem Challenge

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      How can we create a successful multi-faith school in Jerusalem?

      Students are tasked with creating a multi-faith school in Jerusalem, they explore different aspects of each faith including worship, food laws and religious festivals. With the information gathered, students decide whether a multi-faith school will work.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed on knowledge and skills. This will be supported by a revision guide and support with revision techniques.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Hinduism

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      Are Hindu beliefs about God central to all aspects of the Hindu faith?

      Students explore different aspects of the Hindu faith including Beliefs about God, festivals, views on women and how Hindu’s belief the world was created. They will explore moral issues such as the caste system and how we should treat the environment

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed on knowledge and skills. This will be supported by a revision guide and support with revision techniques.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      PeaceJam

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      What inspires people to change the world?

      Students will focus on the work of 12 Nobel Peace Laureates. The will focus on the work of Malala Yousafzai, Desmond Tutu, Rigoberta Menchu Tum and many more. Each lesson focuses on a different theme including being an ally, inclusion and empathy.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed on knowledge and skills. This will be supported by a revision guide and support with revision techniques.

    Useful Links

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: All revision guides will be provided by class teachers and on the classcharts app

    Regular activities to undertake:

    Encouraging pupils to discuss their viewpoints on issues.

    Talking about topical issues in the news.

    Exploring why a pupil holds a certain view by asking him/her to give a reason for their view.

    Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings.

    To be able to identify and explain artefacts in religion. For example to know what an altar is and its significance in worship

    Homework Information

    Homework will be set via the classcharts app once every 3 weeks. Homework will be varied and help to extend learning from the lesson. It may include activities such as research on particular religions, sharing knowledge with others, asking family/friends their opinions on questions.

  • Year 8 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Religion in Modern Britain

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      What impact does religion have on modern society?

      Students begin Year 8 by focusing on religion in modern Britain. We will focus on the religious make-up of Britain and then delve deeper in to issues within society such as racism, homophobia and women’s rights. We will consider our own view and then explore both Christian and Muslim responses to each.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed on knowledge and skills. This will be supported by a revision guide and support with revision techniques.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Rites of Passage

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      To what extent do Rites of Passage have an impact on people’s lives?

      Students explore different Rites of Passage around the world. They will focus on the major world faiths but also look at Humanist beliefs about death and also African Traditional Religion and the role of spirits in their beliefs.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed on knowledge and skills. This will be supported by a revision guide and support with revision techniques.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      Islam

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      How do the beliefs and teachings of Islam affect a Muslim’s life?

      Students will look at a variety of different aspects of Islam including, the 5 Pillars, beliefs about the afterlife, Muhammed (pbuh) and also explore the true meaning of Jihad.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed on knowledge and skills. This will be supported by a revision guide and support with revision techniques.

    Useful Links

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: All revision guides will be provided by class teachers and on the classcharts app

    Regular activities to undertake:

    Promoting an interest in topical new issues.

    Encouraging them in debate and discussions at home.

    Asking them to back up their opinions when talking about both religious issues and current affairs.

    Homework Information

    Homework will be set via the classcharts app once every 3 weeks. Homework will be varied and help to extend learning from the lesson. It may include activities such as research on particular religions, sharing knowledge with others, asking family/friends their opinions on questions.

  • Year 9 Overview
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Introduction to Ethics

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      How do we know what is right and wrong?

      Students begin Year 9 by focusing on ethical issues we face in the modern world. They will explore issues such as poverty, drugs and alcohol, transplant surgery and the environment. They will have the chance to share their own opinion and then explore how a Christian or Muslim would respond to each subject.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed through extended writing opportunities. These will follow the format of an evaluation GCSE style question.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Animal Rights

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      Should animals have rights?

      This unit of work focuses on how animals are treated in the UK. We will explore animal experimentation, animals for food, the fur and ivory trade and attitudes to the zoo industry. They will have the chance to share their own opinions on each of the topics and then explore how a Christian and Muslim would respond.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed through extended writing opportunities. These will follow the format of an evaluation GCSE style question.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      Evil and Suffering

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      Can we believe in God when evil exists?

      This unit focuses on evil and suffering. Students will explore the issue in more detail and discuss how this has an impact on life. They will then focus on how religious people respond to evil and suffering, including turning away from religion.
      As part of this unit of work an educational visit to Beth Shalom National Holocaust Centre in Newark is planned. Students have the opportunity to hear from a Holocaust survivor and explore the museum.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed through extended writing opportunities. These will follow the format of an evaluation GCSE style question.

    • 04

      Course Topic(s)

      Buddhism

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Key Question:
      Is Buddhism a religion?

      Within the final unit of work students will explore the Buddhist religion. They will focus on the teachings of the Buddha, Buddhist teachings on dharma, the wheel of life and how a Buddhist lives their life. Throughout this topic we will compare and contrast with other world religions to answer the key question.

      Assessment

      Students will be assessed through extended writing opportunities. These will follow the format of an evaluation GCSE style question.

    Useful Links

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: All revision guides will be provided by class teachers and on the classcharts app

    Regular activities to undertake:

    Promoting an interest in topical new issues.

    Encouraging them in debate and discussions at home.

    Asking them to back up their opinions when talking about both religious issues and current affairs.

    Homework Information

    Homework will be set via the classcharts app once every 3 weeks. Homework will be varied and help to extend learning from the lesson. It may include activities such as research on particular religions, sharing knowledge with others, asking family/friends their opinions on questions.

  • Year 9 Overview (GCSE)
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Introduction to GCSE RE

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      We will explore the key questions from the GCSE through a P4C enquiry.
      We will also spend time explore religion, culture and heritage in the world through a project.

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Marriage and Family Life

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -Is marriage still important?
      -Should the Roman Catholic Church change its stance on contraception?
      -Will men and women ever be equal?
      -Is marriage still important?
      -Should the Roman Catholic Church change its stance on contraception?
      -Will men and women ever be equal

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      Christian Beliefs

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -What is the Trinity?
      -Did Jesus rise from the dead?
      – How was the world created?
      -Is evil and suffering a human problem?
      -Did Jesus perform miracles?

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    • 04

      Course Topic(s)

      Living the Christian Life

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -Is the Church still relevant?
      -Does prayer work?
      -How does the Church work in the world?
      -Should giving to charity be compulsory?

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: All revision guides will be provided by class teachers and on the classcharts app

    Regular activities to undertake:

    Supporting your child with regular revision and testing.

    Promoting an interest in topical new issues.

    Encouraging them in debate and discussions at home.

    Asking them to back up their opinions when talking about both religious issues and current affairs.

    Homework Information

    Homework will be set via the classcharts app once every 3 weeks. Homework will be varied and help to extend learning from the lesson. It may include activities such as research on particular religions, sharing knowledge with others, asking family/friends their opinions on questions.

    There is no coursework for GCSE RE.

  • Year 10 Overview (GCSE)
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Matters of Life and Death

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -When does life begin?
      -Should the abortion law be changed?
      -Should euthanasia be made legal in the UK?
      -Do we have a duty to look after the world for the next generation?

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Muslim Beliefs

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -What are the 5 Pillars of Islam?
      -What is the difference between Sunni and Shi’a Islam?
      – What happens when we die?
      -Are our lives predestined?

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      Peace and Conflict

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -Will we ever have world peace?
      -Should countries have weapons of mass destruction?
      -Does religion cause war?
      -Does war solve anything?

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: All revision guides will be provided by class teachers and on the classcharts app

    Regular activities to undertake:

    Supporting your child with regular revision and testing.

    Promoting an interest in topical new issues.

    Encouraging them in debate and discussions at home.

    Asking them to back up their opinions when talking about both religious issues and current affairs.

    Homework Information

    Homework will be set via the classcharts app once every 3 weeks. Homework will be varied and help to extend learning from the lesson. It may include activities such as research on particular religions, sharing knowledge with others, asking family/friends their opinions on questions.

  • Year 11 Overview (GCSE)
    • 01

      Course Topic(s)

      Living the Muslim Life

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -Is charity important?
      -What does Jihad really mean?
      -What is Hajj?
      -Does praying fit in with modern society?

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    • 02

      Course Topic(s)

      Crime and Punishment

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      -Does prison work?
      -Should we bring back the death penalty?
      -Is it always possible to forgive?
      -What is justice?

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    • 03

      Course Topic(s)

      Revision

      Content / Learning Outcomes

      Students will have structured revision sessions to prepare them for the GCSE exam.

      Assessment

      All assessments will be GCSE style exams. Students will be supported with exam technique and structure and given time to explore mark schemes and model answers.

    How can I support my child?

    Revision materials/support for any exams: All revision guides will be provided by class teachers and on the classcharts app

    Regular activities to undertake:

    Supporting your child with regular revision and testing.

    Promoting an interest in topical new issues.

    Encouraging them in debate and discussions at home.

    Asking them to back up their opinions when talking about both religious issues and current affairs.

    Homework Information

    Homework will be set via the classcharts app once every 3 weeks. Homework will be varied and help to extend learning from the lesson. It may include activities such as research on particular religions, sharing knowledge with others, asking family/friends their opinions on questions.

    There is no coursework for GCSE RE.

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