RE Curriculum | Chantry Middle School

RE Statement of Intent for CMS

We want Religion to encourage our pupils to understand the wide and diverse culture which we live in. Our religious education curriculum allows our pupils to develop knowledge and understanding of many different religious beliefs, traditions and practices. To explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, reflecting on their own ideas and ways of living. We want to enable our pupils to combat prejudice , prepare them for adult life, employment and life-long learning.

The principal aim of religious education is 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.

Our RE intent aims to ensure that all pupils:

will be encouraged to acquire a deeper knowledge of various religious beliefs and customs that form an integral part of British life in our ever-changing world.
benefit from opportunities to enhance their spiritual, moral , social and cultural development
will develop a sense of self in the wider community through examining the nature of worship in local, national and global settings.
will acquire a number of skills in religion, philosophy and ethics.
recognise the right of people to hold diverse beliefs and values and to develop positive attitudes of tolerance and respect towards other people.

Curriculum Across the Year

In both KS2 and KS3 pupils receive one lesson of RE per week.

Key Components

KS2

Year 5

Belonging and the Christian Church:

How do Christians decide how to live?

Extend knowledge of world religions through a study of Christianity.

Explore Christian beliefs and practices.

Judaism:

Why is the Torah so important to Jewish people?

Extend knowledge of world religions through an in depth study of Judaism.

Explore Jewish beliefs and practices.

Hinduism:

Why do Hindus try to be good?

Extend knowledge of world religions through a study of Hinduism.

Explore Hindu beliefs and practices.

Understand some of the stories and celebrations that shape Hindu belief and practice.

Year 6

Jesus and his Teachings:

How do Christians decide how to live? ‘What would Jesus do?’

Examines the teachings of Jesus Christ and their importance to Christians.

Explore how his teachings are relevant in today’s society.

Creation:

Creation and science: conflicting or complementary?

Explore the different views of the origins of the world we know today including different religions.

Exploring Islam:

What does it mean to be a Muslim in Britain today?

Extend knowledge of world religions through an in depth study of Islam. Investigate Muslim beliefs and practices. Understand some of the stories and celebrations that shape Muslim belief and practice.

KS3

Year 7

Buddhism:

The Buddha: how and why do his experiences and teachings have meaning for people today?

Extend knowledge of world religions through a study of Buddhism.

Explore Buddhist beliefs and practices.

Faith in Action:

What do Christians do when life gets hard?

An in-depth look into how faith can affect people’s actions.

Look at the way commitment affects and shapes lives, guiding the activities of both groups and like-minded individuals.

The God Idea:

What does it mean for Christians to believe in God as Trinity?

Consider who God is.

Evaluate the argument from design and the cosmological argument and give the counter arguments.

Year 8

Living as a Humanist:

What difference does it make to be non-religious in Britain today?

Explore what might make a person define themselves as a humanist.

Understand that the term ‘humanist’ is more commonly understood as relating to people who are agnostic or atheist.

Sikhism:

How are Sikh teachings on equality and service put into practice today?

Extend knowledge of world religions through an in depth study of Sikhism.

Examine Sikh beliefs and how such beliefs affect Sikh lifestyle.

Making Decisions:

Good, bad, right, wrong: how do I decide?

Develop their own sense of identity and belonging.

Appreciate that the world we live in is not equal.

Respond to some of the ultimate questions that are raised by human life.

Websites

There is a wealth of information on the internet about the topics covered in the curriculum. You could explore the following:

KS2 RE BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z7hs34j
KS3 RE BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zh3rkqt
TrueTube – https://www.truetube.co.uk/

Homework

Within RE homework is set to provide opportunities for pupils to consolidate learning, deepen understanding and give opportunities to practise and develop skills ensuring students’ progress and raising achievement. In RE homework will be focused around the 3Rs (Reading, Retrieval and Research).

Reading	Retrieval	Research
Regular reading helps develop cognitive abilities.	Retrieval (recap) activities help students to strengthen their memory and recall information from their learning, leading to deeper learning and understanding.	Research activities enable pupils to deepen and extend their understanding further.