Religious Education
Head of Department: Mrs L B Stewart
At Priestlands, we believe that RE should be the gateway to promoting open-minded, inquisitive and empathetic pupils ready to access a culturally diverse world. Our curriculum is built to promote enquiry and build tolerance of world faiths and ethical issues.
Through literacy-based learning students will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues. Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture.
Religious Studies is a literacy based, academic subject. Therefore, students also need to be competent in extended writing and be keen to learn new subject-specific terminology. Pupils will use their embedded knowledge to create evaluative and discursive arguments relating to the religions and ethical themes studied.
GCSE Religious Studies is made up of two elements: The study of religion and themes. The study of religion involves an in-depth study of two religious traditions: Christianity and Buddhism. We then go on to study themes which are made up of philosophical and moral concepts such as abortion, war and peace and the death penalty. Whilst studying these themes we consider beliefs within Christianity, Buddhism and the UK.
By the end of KS4 students at Priestlands:
- Respect others and gain a broader understanding of views and beliefs
- Improve their knowledge of global affairs
- Develop a stronger sense of wellbeing, ethical standards and personal happiness
- Avoid extremism and religious discrimination
- Contribute to and build a more cohesive community
Withdrawal from Religious Education
In England and Wales Parents have the statutory right under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to withdraw their children from Religious Education lessons and acts of Collective Worship in schools. As parents you are not obliged to give a reason for requesting the withdrawal. However, before exercising any right of withdrawal we would recommend you discuss your concerns with the Headteacher or Assistant Headteacher in charge of Curriculum. Any request for withdrawal must be made in writing to the Headteacher.
