Religious Studies
KS3 Curriculum Intent and rationale:
Religious Studies at The Mandeville School aims to develop critical thinking. To understand and be able to articulate their own worldview and to have explored and show respect for that of others. We aim to equip students to be able to evaluate information about the world that is presented to them. To be able to be critical of their own worldview and open and understanding that the worldview of others also has merits and is equally carefully considered. Students will be able to see how their own worldview and that of others could be applied to different situations and how that may affect people’s actions including their own.
We aim to reach this position through:
Expression – accepting that all students come to each topic with their own understanding and allowing them to express their own experiences and perspectives.
Variation – introduction of students to contrasting opinions/worldviews to their own and to differing or new perspectives. Teaching looks to expand horizons and provide a richer understanding of different people’s experiences of the world to their own.
Exploration – Acknowledging that our own understanding of the world is limited, as is the way in which we experience it. Encouraging debate and critical thinking through engagement with difficult topics and areas of disagreement as well as finding key areas on which we can agree. Finding common ground and being able to articulate those areas in which there is disagreement without disrespecting or disregarding the opinion of others. Accepting difference; the process of thinking and debating with kindness is key, not finding a resolution or compromise.
KS4 Curriculum Intent and rationale:
The KS4 Religious Studies curriculum builds on the knowledge and skills our pupils acquire through our KS3 curriculum.
In RS students aim to understand the views of others. The two religions on which the curriculum focuses are Christianity and Islam, however, all worldviews, both religious and non-religious, feed into the learning and inform the students debate of ethical issues. Students study the beliefs and the practices of both Christianity and Islam including an understanding of their cultural influence and the variety of thought within each of these religions. This depth of understanding allows students to explore the way in which each religion influences the lives of believers and those around them as well as interfaith interaction.
The detailed understanding that students develop of the case study religions allows them to apply this to various ethical challenges and be confident in the views that they hold and to evaluate those of others
This enables students to clearly demonstrate their understanding of the subject and to apply principles in new contexts. All of this prepares them for external examinations and to pursue further Religious Studies or similar subjects in the future.
Year 11 Revision Resources
LEARNING JOURNEYS
- KS3 Religious Studies Learning Journey
