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Religious Studies & Philosophy

 

Introduction to Department:

The Religious Studies team is fully committed to ensuring the subject continues to play a central role in shaping thoughtful, well informed, inspired and ethically aware young people. The department delivers high-quality teaching by Religious Studies and Theology subject specialists, across the whole age range. Pupils are actively encouraged to promote a respectful debate and discussion environment, ensuring they can express their views while respecting those of others. The curriculum is constantly refined to ensure that it remains intellectually rigorous and engaging. While Christianity is studied at greater depth, the school maintains and enhances their commitment to studying a range of faiths and beliefs, so that it reflects the growing diversity of the student body, wider community, and pluralist society.

Recommended reading list:

  • Sophie’s World, Jostein Gaarder (Fiction), KS4/5
  • The Pig That Wants to Be Eaten, Julian Baggini (Non-fiction) KS4/5
  • Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis (Non-fiction), KS4/5
  • The Book of Joy, Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu (Non-fiction) KS4/5
  • The Life of Christ, Dorothy L. Sayers (Christianity – Non-fiction) KS4
  • The Boy with the Topknot, Sathnam Sanghera (Sikhism – Memoir) KS3/4

Extra and Super-curricular:

KS3

  • Trip to Salisbury Cathedral culminating in an in-depth enquiry
  • Use of Seneca (an online learning tool)
  • Creative pieces of work for displays around the school
  • Opportunity to join the Philosophy Club run by 6th form RS prefects
  • Environmental research Enquiry and presentations
  • Sharing food (challah) brought in by students during study of Judaism
  • Amnesty International letter writing opportunity
  • Visit to a Sikh place of worship – Southampton Gurdwara in year 9

KS4

  • Opportunity to join the Philosophy Club run by 6th form RS prefects
  • Use of Seneca (online learning tool)
  • Optional lunch sessions on how to answer evaluation questions in RS GCSE
  • Multi faith day – diversity of faith and those of no faith invited speakers visit BWS
  • Opportunity to participate in the BWS Culture Day

KS5

  • Opportunity to become a Philosophy Prefect
  • All RS philosophy students become members of Sarum College
  • Run the Philosophy Club for all age ranges
  • One trip in year 12 eg conference, and/or visit to a university Philosophy department
  • Occasional opportunities to participate in inter-school debates
  • Assisting on Open days for prospective A level students

Curriculum Overview

KS3

Year 7 pupils begin by exploring what it means to be human and how humans express identity and spirituality. They look at different expressions of Christianity and produce an extended piece of work based on Salisbury Cathedral. The next unit of work asks the question ‘what is truth?’ and considers interpretation of religious texts. Finally, pupils will explore beliefs and practices within Hinduism. A series of small written and creative assessments will be undertaken at key points each term. A longer assessment will take place towards the end of year 7.

Year 8 pupils research different theories relating to morality and in particular study ethical teachings from Buddhism / Christianity and apply them to moral dilemmas facing people today. The next unit of work explores the relationship between religion and science in the context of the origins of the universe. Finally, pupils will explore beliefs and practices within Islam. A series of small written and creative assessments will be undertaken at key points each term, A longer assessment will take place towards the end of year 8.

Year 9 pupils start the first term with a study of the Jewish faith; focusing on practice and identity. This will lead on to a philosophical examination of arguments for the existence of God and responses to the problem of evil. From the second term, pupils will begin the Religious Studies GCSE full course Route A www.eduqas.co.uk which will comprise Christianity and Sikhism studies. They will then move onto four philosophical and ethical themes which will continue through till the end of year 11. As each unit of work is completed in class, there will be an assessment. A final assessment will also take place towards the end of the school year.

KS4

Year 10 and 11 pupils will have started the full course in Religious Studies in year 9. This course will continue through year 10 and 11 with three component examinations at the end of year 11. Further resources for revision purposes can be found on the Eduqas website.

The content of the course is as follows:

Component 1: Religious, Philosophical and Ethical studies in the Modern World (50%) 2 hour exam

  • Theme 1: Issues of Relationships
  • Theme 2: Issues of Life and Death
  • Theme 3: Issues of Good and Evil
  • Theme 4: Issues of Human Rights

Component 2: Study of Christianity (25%) 1 hour exam

  • Beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity

Component 3: Study of Sikhism (25%) 1 hour exam

  • Beliefs, teachings and practices of Sikhism

KS5

At BWS year 12 we study the OCR A level Religious Studies specification.

This specification has 3 components: Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, and Developments in Christian Thought. The pedagogical approach ranges from scriptural and textual scrutiny, analysis and critique, through to discussions and class debates. Students are encouraged to keep an open mind, think beyond the observable, question defined ways of thinking, and develop the language and skills to engage philosophically at a higher level. The use of well-known philosophers is used to inform scholarly thought.

Areas of study include the following:

  • Ancient thinks and philosophical influences
  • The nature of the soul, mind and body
  • Arguments about the existence or non-existence of God
  • The nature and impact of religious experience
  • The challenge for religious belief of the problem of evil
  • Ideas about the nature of God
  • Use of religious language
  • Normative ethical theories
  • The application of ethical theory to contemporary issues of importance such as euthanasia
  • The significance of the idea of conscience
  • Sexual ethics on the influence on ethical thought of developments in religious beliefs
  • Christianity: Beliefs values and teachings, their interconnections and how they vary historically and contemporarily
  • Sources of wisdom and authority, practices which shape and express identity and how these vary within Christianity
  • Social and historical developments in religious thought
  • The relationship between religion and society

The OCR exam is 100% essay based.

Staff

Head of Department: Mrs B Kaur-Shahi: bks@bws-school.org.uk

Teachers of Religious Studies:

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