Religious Studies & Citizenship
Why we teach Religious Studies at Harris Academy Purley
Religious Studies is intended to give students an understanding of the world’s most influential and enduring religious and philosophical ideas. Over the three years of Key Stage 3, all students will develop their religious and cultural literacy through learning about a range of religious traditions. In addition, students will be introduced to philosophy through introductions to epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and social philosophy. Should students wish to continue the subject at GCSE, they will develop an even deeper understanding of the world’s two largest religions (Christianity and Islam) and analyse in greater detail how religious beliefs and practices influence life in the modern world today.
Fundamentally, we teach RS in order to develop students’ religious literacy. By this, we mean the knowledge of and ability to understand religion (and by extension our religiously influenced, multicultural, globalised world). RS at HAPU intends to send our students into the world with an enduring understanding of and appreciation for religion and philosophy. Through RS, we develop students’ ability to empathise and ask probing questions of the ideas of others. Likewise, we help students to develop their literacy and oracy skills so that they can better understand and engage with the great conversations of humanity.
Religious studies also contributes as an important strand of our efforts as an Academy to promote fundamental British values, our Rights Respecting Schools agenda, and support our students wider social, moral, spiritual and cultural development (SMSC). Underpinning our entire RS curriculum are norms of tolerance, respect, and curiosity.
Pragmatically, we believe that a thorough understanding of religion and philosophy provides a fantastic academic foundation for further study in literature, history, the arts and beyond. We believe that it’s every child’s right to develop a thorough understanding of the ideas that have shaped, and continue to shape, our world.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, each year is focussed on a series of core learning questions, which are addressed throughout the period of study. We study the world religions in chronological order, encouraging students to gain an appreciation for the way in which they have grown from and influenced one another.
Students address our core learning questions in a variety of ways: through discussion, engagement with sources and resources, and through engaging in genuine philosophical discourse of their own. We encourage students to engage with narrative and stories, and to evaluate the significance and implications of sacred texts for believers.
We believe that the explicit teaching of religious and philosophical vocabulary is fundamental to success in RS, and encourage students to deliberately practice their reading, writing and speaking in this subject.
Key Stage 4
Students will have the option of studying Religious Studies at GCSE as part of our broad and balanced Key Stage 4 curriculum. At Key Stage 4, students will focus their studies on two strands:
- The study of religions: beliefs, teachings, and practices
- Thematic studies
These strands are taught alongside one another over the two years of the course, and at HAPU we focus on the world’s two largest faiths: Christianity and Islam. Students will address these strands through the study of a sequence of learning questions over time, and as part of this study will engage in close analysis of religious scripture and investigation of contemporary religious practices. In a Key Stage 4 RS lesson, students might analyse a Bible passage, watch a short extract from a documentary on Street Pastors, and then tackle an extended written question on the role of the church in modern society.
Citizenship
Citizenship at HAPU is the study of the relationship between individuals and the state. Citizenship encompasses the rights and responsibilities that we all have as members of society and how we in turn are impacted by society around us. We study democracy, government and law as well as many more topics that prepare all students to become functioning and contributing members of British society.
The Citizenship curriculum at HAPU has been designed to give students a foundation of knowledge of the key pillars that allow society to function. Citizenship forms an integral part of HAPU’s Personal Development Curriculum, with lessons taught during tutor time. In these lessons, students are provided with powerful knowledge and concepts of democracy and active citizenship, amongst others, that prepare them for later life. At Key Stage 3, this includes human rights, privacy, individual liberty and different types of electoral system. The topics covered ensure that all students gain understanding of society and the role that they play within it.
At HAPU, Citizenship is taught by:
Ensuring all students have a breadth and strength of knowledge of the key concepts of citizenship. This is supported by the use of comparative case studies which allow students to consolidate and demonstrate their understanding through their use and evaluation of specific and real examples. The use of retrieval practice and assessment for learning techniques such as questioning will also allow students to consolidate and broaden this knowledge and enable them to formulate and express substantiated opinions and judgements.
Consolidating student understanding through practical activities, such as curriculum trips such as to the Supreme court and Houses of Parliament. Exposure to democracy in action is vital in allowing students opportunities to engage with practical examples of what has been only theoretical within the classroom. Students also study a topic on active citizenship, which allows students to become involved with community issues and try implement positive change within the local area.
Developing skills to that students can form substantiated opinions, critically analyse alternatives viewpoints and to form conclusive judgements. This is done through classroom debate and discussion throughout the course.
What exam board do we follow?
GCSE students will follow the AQA Religious Studies A (8062) specification.
