‘The unexamined life is not worth living’Socrates
Overview
The Religious Studies department at King’s seeks to instil strong cultural knowledge and the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in all ventures throughout each of our student’s lives.
We seek to impart in our students our love and appreciation for a variety of belief systems whilst simultaneously developing shrewd thinking habits to compliment all current and future learnings. We seek to achieve these things by welcoming critical discussion amongst all individuals from all backgrounds.
Students will begin their study of Religious Studies in Year 8 and work towards their Religious Studies GCSE in Year 11. Their GCSE will include subject matters concerning the study of religion which will later be applied to ethics and philosophy. The Religious Studies curriculum is designed to stretch students to develop intellectual thinking habits, advanced writing skills and imbue them with the reading and oracy skills required both at their next level of learning and in their personal development towards becoming a successful citizen.
Knowledge
The Religious Studies curriculum is built around thematic study which allows students to establish essential religious ideas across the six major world faiths and humanism. This allows for a holistic worldview to develop as they traverse through the course, it ensures foundational concepts are cemented in their understanding whilst revisited through different themes. Students will understand core religious beliefs and how these beliefs manifest into practices, ethical decisions and inspire religious communities. Discussions will allow students to explore their own thoughts, opinions and values, as only through understanding the self one can contribute effectively to society.
Vocabulary Rich
The academic study of Ethics, Philosophy and Religions has contributed largely to many key historical developments. By virtue of this, a vast majority of the subject areas which students study in Religious Studies will involve a rich glossary of terms derived from millenia of discourse which has traversed numerous cultures, epochs and societies.
In order to accurately comprehend the beliefs and teachings of influential writers and philosophers in historical and contemporary contexts, students will utilise a diverse range of subject specific vocabulary. Many of these terms will be understood etymologically as a means to equip students with the skills to decipher those words which often means the difference between understanding and confusion.
Academic skills/Independent Learners
Students will develop their oracy skills by engaging in discussions and debates concerning contentious and sensitive subject topics. This practice will facilitate the development of each learner's confidence, empathy and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate through education and later life.
Students will practice extended writing and develop their use of vocabulary by following syllogistic argument structures as a means to ensure that all writing follows a train of logical reasoning and fluency. These skills will benefit learning across other areas of the curriculum while providing a framework to ensure all students, irrespective of their starting point or ability, can make progress and achieve success.
Ultimately, the curriculum and subjects taught in Religious Studies will work to produce well cultured individuals with the critical thinking skills to form astute and considered positions.
Intellectual Habits
Religious Studies instils a strong logical approach to thinking and writing which will result in well-substantiated work, opinions and beliefs. Many of those who study Religious Studies use the subject to begin an introspective inspection through study of religion to ignite greater awareness of their own belief systems. This then leads into the rigorous study of ethics, philosophy and religions where students are able to habitualise a healthy scepticism and start thinking about new matters through a critical lens.
Diverse
The study of Religious Studies is necessarily diverse. Having the opportunity to delve into the norms, traditions and beliefs of a great number of cultures and societies, students will broaden their understanding of the world around them to incorporate a wealth of diverse perspectives.
Within the curriculum students will analyse early religions, the six major world religions and humanism as well as a great many perspectives concerning ethics, morality and the transcendent from both minority and majority cultures. This gives students the tools to better understand the surrounding world, its citizens and their own place within it.
Inclusive
Religious Studies at King’s seeks to support all students across a number of varied SEN needs and inclusion runs through the Religious Studies curriculum and planning. In order to ensure that all students are able to access the curriculum, lesson plans are informed by referring to our inclusion register. SEN strategies, scaffolding and models are discussed weekly in departmental meetings to ensure each student is able to make progress and work towards the same outcomes.
Further to this, due to the sensitive nature of some topics discussed in Religious Studies, regular contact will be made with parents. This will enable stakeholders to liaise with each other and ensure lessons are delivered with cultural sensitivity. Key to successful Religious Studies lessons will be to ensure a culturally sensitive delivery of such topics and this can only be achieved if channels of communication are available, in turn allowing for students to make progress and achieve success.