RE

The aim of the RS curriculum at Budehaven Community School is to expand pupils’ knowledge of the world’s diversity and open their minds to the different values, ideas and cultures around them. Questions are encouraged above all things, as curiosity and passion underpin everything we achieve in RE at KS3 and GCSE at KS4 during years 10 and 11. The KS3 RE curriculum is largely informed by Cornwall’s SACRE’s Local Agreed Syllabusand we hope to approach topics in ways that engage pupils whilst developing essential empathetic, problem solving and academic skills.

At KS4, pupils discover more about the intricacies of Christianity and Buddhism as well as a variety of themed studies through the rigorous AQA Religious Studies GCSE programme. These choices of religion and theme allow pupils to explore the practical applications of religion such as ethics surrounding relationships & families, questions about the existence of God, peace & conflict and the nature of life. These selections permit pupils to prepare for a vast assortment of careers including law, healthcare, civil service, social work and journalism or further study of Religious Studies at A Level, degree level and beyond.

Our curriculum journey begins in RE with solid factual foundations within the major world religions, before building upon these roots by tackling a wide variety of ethical topic explorations. Ethical debates and deep thinking continues throughout KS3, preparing pupils for GCSE or for decision making and moral choices in the wider world if their interests lie outside of religious and cultural study.

Over the course of Year 7, 8 and 9 we would aim to cover the following areas of study, in line with the Cornwall Agreed Syllabus:

Key Questions and areas of study

Why are people good and bad? [Fall]
What does it mean for Christians to believe in God as Trinity? [God]
Why do Christians believe Jesus was God on Earth? [Incarnation]
What is so radical about Jesus? [Gospel]
What is good and what is challenging about being a Muslim teenager in Britain today? [Iman/ibadah/Akhlaq]
How can people in Cornwall express their spirituality through the arts?
The Buddha: how and why do his experiences and teachings have meaning for people today? [Buddha/dhamma/sangha]
How are Sikh teachings on equality and service put into practice today? [God/the Gurus/values/Panth]
Does the world need prophets today? [People of God]
What do people do when life gets hard? [Wisdom]
How far does it make a difference if you believe in life after death?
Good, bad; right, wrong: how do I decide?
Inspirational People
What difference does it make to be an atheist or agnostic in Britain today?
Why is there suffering? Are there any good solutions?
Should happiness be the purpose of life?
Should Christians be greener than everyone else? [Creation]

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A

Subject content
Students should consider different beliefs and attitudes to religious and non-religious issues in contemporary British society. They should be aware that the religious traditions of Great Britain are, in the main, Christian, and that religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse. They include Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as other religious and nonreligious beliefs such as atheism and humanism.

Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices
Learners are required to study two major world religions. The focus of study for each religion is on ‘Beliefs and teachings’ and ‘Practices’.
Students will study the following:

• Buddhism
• Christianity

Component 2: Thematic studies
Students will study a total of four themes from Component 2, Religious, philosophical and ethical studies.
Students should be aware of different religious perspectives on the issues studied within and / or between religious and non-religious beliefs such as atheism and humanism. Students must also study religious, philosophical and ethical arguments related to the issues raised, and their impact and influence on the modern world.

Students will be expected to show their understanding of religion through the application of teachings from religion and beliefs. They will also be expected to make specific references to sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts.

Students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding that the religious traditions of Great Britain are, in the main, Christian and that the religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse.
Religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes:

Theme A: Relationships and families.
Theme B: Religion and life.
Theme C: The existence of God and revelation.
Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict.
Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment.
Theme F: Religion, human rights and social justice.