Department Vision
Our Religious Studies and Philosophy Department is dedicated to fostering a profound love of learning and an enduring curiosity about the diverse religious traditions that shape our world. We are committed to embracing and celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures and beliefs, recognising the inherent value in each.
Through rigorous academic inquiry and critical thinking, we aim to equip our students with the intellectual tools necessary to navigate and appreciate the complexities of our multicultural society. Our curriculum is designed to challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and cultivate a deep understanding of the ethical, philosophical, and spiritual dimensions of human experience.
We strive to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where students feel empowered to explore their own beliefs and those of others with respect and openness. By engaging with a wide range of religious texts, practices, and communities, our students will develop the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and act compassionately in a global context.
Ultimately, our vision is to prepare students to become thoughtful, informed, and empathetic citizens who are ready to contribute positively to a diverse and interconnected world. We believe that through education, we can promote mutual understanding and foster a more harmonious and just society.
Years 7-9
In Year 7, we cover Abrahamic Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It starts with an introduction to these faiths, exploring their symbols and common roots. Students learn about key beliefs such as monotheism, sacred texts, and places of worship. Activities include creating family trees and comparing the faiths, leading to an assessment on their similarities and differences.
In the Spring and Summer Terms, the focus shifts to Buddhism and Confucianism. The Buddhism unit introduces its core beliefs and practices, contrasting them with the Abrahamic religions. Lessons cover the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Moral Precepts. Students explore Buddhist views on suffering, the afterlife, and ethical living, with activities like meditation and discussions on wealth and poverty. The term concludes with an evaluative essay on the Middle Way.
We are broadening out our Year 8 scheme of work but the focus shifts on to more thematic study in the Autumn Term where we will look at theologians and religious activists to develop the understanding of religion as a living, breathing entity that can be used to enlighten. In the Spring Term we look at more Ethical theories to develop the understanding of religion as a toold to help understand right from wrong. Finally in the Summer Term we look at Conflicts and Resolution.
The Year 9 Scheme of Work aims to broaden students’ understanding of religious studies by applying concepts learned in previous years to real-world and current scenarios. The curriculum is structured around an “Alphabet of RS,” with each lesson focusing on a different letter and corresponding topic.
For example, the Autumn Term begins with A is for Atheism, where students explore why people might be good and kind without believing in a god. They discuss definitions of humanism and atheism and consider whether it is possible to prove something does not exist.
We take elements from the RBKC Agreed Syllabus and are always looking at ways to develop our material to enhance the student experience even further.
GCSE
We follow the AQA Religious Studies Spec A 8062MA. This includes our chosen religions as Christianity and Islam. We chose AQA as it has a nice balance between being academically rigorous whilst being broad enough to capture a variety of issues. The content includes Christian and Muslim Beliefs and Practices in Form V and then a variety of Philosophical and Ethical applications of this knowledge in UV.
QG Super Curriculum
We are looking to expand and build our trip portfolio with trips to major religious and culturally significant institutions across London. This will help ground some of the more nebulous and abstract ideas within the GCSE.
RS is a very special subject at GCSE as it gives an opportunity for wider thought that goes beyond the pages of the text book. We look at current issues surrounding bodily autonomy, conflict, the existence of God and the ethical responsibilities of everyone as citizens of the world.
