Curriculum Statement - Religious Studies

“Our greatest ability as humans is not to change the world; but to change ourselves” – Mahatma Gandhi

Powerful Knowledge in Religious Studies

To understand the world around us, and how we fit into that world, we must attempt to understand the cultures, traditions, customs and beliefs of the people around us. It is every child’s right to become equipped with the powerful knowledge that will allow them to be a respectful, tolerant, and active citizen who can form and evaluate their own opinions whilst accepting those of other people.

  • Children have a right to know about the people around them, their cultures, traditions and beliefs
  • They have a right to be taught about and make their own decisions about moral, ethical and current affairs that effect them.
  • They have a right to be taught about their differences, similarities and to celebrate these.

 

Curriculum Features

Beliefs and values at Hazel Grove High gives students the opportunities to become aware of the world, the people and the issues that surround them. Through PSHE they will learn how to care for themselves and others, how to debate key topics of the day and engage with modern and historical ethics and themes.

As part of this students will engage with living religions that are active and relevant in our world and in our school. Building on a basis of PSHE with religious knowledge gives students the power to apply the ideas of a range of other people to things that have an impact on them.

Students are asked to think politically, decisively and analytically in order to make their own decision, evaluate the decisions of others and engage with modern topics whilst being knowledgeable, respectful and thoughtful.

 

Co Curriculum Enrichment

Out of the Beliefs and values department we work with the local Baptist Church to ensure students have access to guest speakers who can express their religious beliefs first hand thereby giving students an opportunity to engage with a living religion.

We also give student access to British Values through form time activities, assemblies and working across the curriculum with other subjects.

As part of their Holocaust learning KS3 students are visited by a Holocaust survivor to give them a truly emotional and remarkable insight into the atrocities of the Holocaust. They also have the opportunity to attend an enrichment trip to Auschwitz. This is supported by assemblies.

Students are invited to participate in the National Spirited Arts competition where they can apply themselves creatively to religious and philosophical themes.

KS4

Students study the AQA specification. The course develops a secure understanding of the world’s major religions alongside the ability to compare and contrast religious points of view on a range of topical issues

Further detail is available on the exam board website below
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062