Religious Education Overview

In Religious Education we encourage an ethos of tolerance and understanding, by teaching about specific beliefs, values and practices and relating them to life issues and human experience. We also get a chance to challenge students’ misconceptions of religion. In order to do this successfully, it is imperative that our students are given the opportunity to explore the reasons why people behave the way they do within , and the influence religion can have on those people, whether this is a positive or a negative impact. In turn this will develop students’ empathy and tolerance, helping them to acquire an inquisitive and unbiased perspective of the world. Students will explore and have opportunities to develop their own belief systems, whether that is religious or atheist, and grow in confidence to challenge others’ beliefs.

As well as the study of religion, the RE curriculum allows opportunities for students to develop socially, morally, spiritually and culturally by using philosophy and ethics to help understand life and suggest answers to some of the ‘ultimate’ questions of life, for example, why are we here? And what happens when we die?

The Academy acknowledges its responsibility to foster informed discussion and protect students from the potential harm caused by extremist* attitudes of all sorts.

*The Government has defined extremism in the Prevent Strategy as “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British Values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”.

What can I do with Religious Education?

RE Department

Mrs C Ainsworth – Subject Leader

GCSE Religious Studies Specification (all cohorts)

AQA examining board – Route A, Specification A