Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3, students have 2 hours of taught content per fortnight in Years 7 & 8 and 3 hours taught content in Year 9 if they have chosen RPE as one of their options subjects. All other year 9 students will take RPE in a carousel.
In Year 7 students are taught in form groups, moving to mixed ability classes in Years 8 & 9.
RPE at KS3 strives to provide students with a critical understanding of a range of contemporary issues. The subject involves engaging with current debate and focuses on the role that religion plays in the world and the effect it has on believers’ actions. It aims to develop students’ thinking skills, allowing them to consider their own opinion and the views of others in relation to challenging and thought-provoking topics. Teaching approaches include a variety of active learning methods: group work, presentations, research tasks, role play and drama, artwork and fieldwork. Over the three years students will have opportunities to develop their extended writing and hone the skills necessary for GCSE.
Each programme of study pursues a line of enquiry that is addressed through a variety of approaches. These explore and encompass the major religions and include philosophical and ethical themes.
Year 7
- What is religion?
- What is the intent of RPE?
- How do Hindu beliefs on the Divine impact actions towards animals?
- How do Buddhists practice their faith?
- What is it like to live as a Buddhist monk or nun?
- How do Sikhi put their beliefs into practice?
- How do Sikhi support social justice?
Year 8
- Morality- What does it mean to be good?
- Where does our morality come from?
- What are the arguments that God exists and how convincing are they?
- What are the arguments that God does not exist and how convincing are they?
- What does is mean to live a good life in Judaism?
- Who are the 'chosen people'?
Year 9 option
- What does it mean to be human?
- Do animals have rights?
- What is the sanctity of life?
- Is religion still relevant today?
- What is a religion?
- How did the Gospels come to be written?
- Who is Jesus in the Gospels?
Year 9 Core Rebel Leaders (The lives of Jesus and Muhammad)