Religious Education
What makes us passionate about our subject? (Intent)
We are passionate about Religious Education because it helps students engage with some of the most significant questions that human beings have ever asked: Who am I? What matters most? How should we live? Why do people believe different things? At the heart of our curriculum is the understanding that every person inhabits a worldview, whether religious or non-religious, and that these worldviews profoundly shape how we interpret and engage with the world around us.
Our aim is not to tell students what to think, but to teach them how to think critically, compassionately and with intellectual rigour. Through exploring religious and non-religious worldviews, students encounter ideas that challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives and deepen their understanding of themselves and others. We encourage pupils to engage with questions of meaning, purpose, identity, belonging, morality and truth, recognising that such questions rarely have simple answers.
Drawing upon the disciplinary lenses of theology, philosophy and the human and social sciences, students learn to examine how worldviews are formed, how they are influenced by context, and how they shape human values, actions and societies. We want students to appreciate the richness and diversity of human belief and experience, while developing the confidence to reflect on and critically evaluate their own worldview. Ultimately, our ambition is to cultivate intellectually curious, open-minded and responsible young people who are equipped to engage thoughtfully with an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
What do our students gain by studying our subject? (Impact)
Through studying Religious Education, students develop a sophisticated understanding of religion, worldview and the ways in which people make sense of their lives and experiences. They learn that every individual operates from a worldview and gain insight into how religious and non-religious beliefs influence values, morality, identity, decision-making and relationships. By exploring a diverse range of worldviews, students develop greater cultural literacy, empathy and understanding of the communities and societies in which they live.
Students gain the knowledge and skills to critically engage with questions of meaning, purpose, belonging and ethics, while recognising how context, history and culture shape the beliefs and practices of individuals and communities. They learn to identify and evaluate the influence that worldviews can exert, both positively and negatively, on people, institutions and societies. In doing so, they become more reflective about their own assumptions, values and commitments.
Through the study of theology, philosophy and the human and social sciences, students develop the disciplinary knowledge and methods needed to investigate complex questions about ways of believing, living and thinking. They learn to analyse, interpret and evaluate evidence, construct reasoned arguments and communicate ideas clearly and thoughtfully. As a result, students leave Religious Education not only with a deeper understanding of religion and worldviews, but also as more reflective, informed and critically engaged citizens who are better equipped to navigate and contribute positively to a diverse and changing world.
GCSE
At GCSE we use AQA and all students complete a Full course GCSE in Religious Education
To visit the examination board website click: Religious Studies A GCSE 8062 Specification
A-Level
Students follow the Eduqas exam board syllabus
To visit the examination board website click here: eduqas-a-level-religious-studies-spec-from-2016-e
Right of withdrawal
In law, parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child(ren) from collective acts of religious worship and/or RE lessons. Please click on the link below to read the Priory Trust's guidance to families.