We aim to help pupils to develop their own values and principles. We support their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and foster mutual understanding between peoples of differing religious and cultural backgrounds. It is also recognised that the pupils need a relaxing and comfortable environment so that they feel confident enough to express their views. We feel this is an important aspect of the pupils’ learning experience in R.E and accordingly pupils are aware of the behaviour expectations and the rewards for clearly expressing their ideas. RE is planned and delivered within the framework of the agreed syllabus for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Living Difference), and the school policies for teaching and learning, assessment, special needs and equal opportunities.
Year 7
Community and Belonging Students will learn about the importance of belonging to a community. Students will learn about different communities including Sikh and Christian communities. Students will create their own tutor group club and identify the feelings of belonging to a club.
Light and Dark Students will learn about the symbolic meaning of light and dark and explore stories about light and dark. Students will find out about different religious celebrations in particular the Hindu festival of Diwali. Students will also create their own Christingle in time for Christmas.
Specialness Students will learn what is special and what is sacred. Students will work independently to create a class display board on special place. Students will visit a Sikh special place of worship called a Gurdwara and understand why going on a Hajj is a special journey for Muslims.
Water Students will learn why water is important to us. Students will learn about the symbolic meaning of water for different religions including Christianity, Sikh and Hindu.
Year 8
Storytelling and Sacred writings Students will learn what a moral is and where we get morals from. Students will learn why the Bible is an important book for Christians and evaluate the importance of sacred writings in learning morals and good ways of living.
God and The World Students will explore where they think they have come from and investigate different creation stories from a number of religions and cultures. Students will evaluate the importance of celebrating Christmas for Christians and the importance of Christmas for themselves.
Respect and Forgiveness Students will decide what it means to respect someone and identify people in their lives they respect. Students will decide what it means to forgive someone and the importance of forgiveness. Students will explore these themes through passages and stories taken from the Bible and decide whether they think it is importance to respect and forgive people.
Celebration after Challenge Students will explore why it is important to celebrate after something has been difficult or challenging to do. Students will explore the meaning of Ramadan for Muslims and how they celebrate after Ramadan. Students will explore how people celebrate/remember someone who has died and how different religions and cultures remember the dead.
In Year 9 and 10 R.E is covered as part of the Entry Level Pathways Humanities course specific units of work on Marriage Ceremonies, Famous Followers of Faith and Religious Charities.
Legal Requirements
The department is consistent with the legal requirements of RE particularly the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 14, which states: “children have the right to think and feel what they want, and to practice their religion as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.” and The Education Act 1996 which requires that:
- Religious education should be taught to all students (except those withdrawn at the wish of their parents)
- The Agreed Syllabus should reflect the fact the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of the other principle religions in Great Britain
- An Agreed Syllabus must not be designed to convert pupils, or to urge a particular religion or religious belief on pupils Content Much of the content of the school’s RE curriculum is adapted from the QCA schemes of work taking into account the new Agreed Syllabus for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.
Students’ work is reviewed every week and there is a formal assessments for each topic. The formal assessment uses a levelling system to monitor progression. Students are encouraged to peer assess their work and to set targets every term to enable effective progression. Work is differentiated using a variety of methods and tools according to the individual pupil. All pupils have access to their own assessment progression grid to allow them to identify what they need to do to move their learning forward.
Year 9
Students’ work is reviewed every week and there are two formal assessments for each topic. The formal assessments use a levelling system to monitor progression. This is based on the old national curriculum levels. Students are encouraged to peer assess their work and to set targets every term to enable effective progression. All activities this year will also be assessed against criteria for the WJEC Entry Pathway Qualification in Humanities.
How parents can support
- Read a range of books /magazines with your child, allowing them to form opinions on what they are reading.
- Discuss a news item with your child, allowing them to form opinions on what they are reading.