Religious studies

Objectives in religious studies

The aim of the Religious Studies curriculum, is to enable students to continue to develop their understanding and tolerance of a variety of different faiths and cultures. Our Religious Studies curriculum is underpinned by four key questions which are re-visited systematically by students during their time at Ibstock:

• How should we treat one another?
• How does religion affect the community?
• What happens after death?
• How do people express their faith?

The Religious Studies curriculum is planned and sequenced to enable students to apply the knowledge they have gained to a variety of different scenarios.

Year 7:

During year 7, students build a foundation of knowledge about religious beliefs and practices and look at the local impact of religion by studying the following units:

• Christian and Muslim beliefs – students spend a half term learning the similarities and differences between Christian and Muslim beliefs.
• The Parish Church – a half term long case study of St Denys Church, Ibstock.
• Is Anybody There? – an exploration of different beliefs about God, including atheism, theism and agnosticism.
• Worship – how people of different faiths worship, other than through prayer.
• Religious Celebrations – the final term of year 7 is spent studying different religious celebrations, and deciding whether or not happiness should be the purpose of life.

Year 8:

During year 8, students will continue to build upon their knowledge of religious beliefs and practices, whilst beginning to think philosophically. They study the following units:

• Prejudice and Equality – students examine inequality in society and the impact of religion upon this.
• Spirituality – ways in which spirituality can be expressed are explored, including art work, music and hobbies.
• The Life of Jesus – students spend a half term learning about the life of Jesus and the impact upon Christianity.
• Good and Evil – the concept of suffering is examined, and students will explore ideas about different types of suffering and why suffering exists.
• Life After Death Throughout History – the final term of year 8 is spent comparing views about life after death from a range of religions, both modern and ancient.

Year 9:

During year 9 students will begin to examine more mature and complex philosophical issues. They will study the following units:

• Medical Ethics – students examine the moral complexities and religious and cultural beliefs about a range of medical issues such as IVF, abortion, blood transfusion, organ donation, euthanasia and plastic surgery.
• Animals – the ways in which animals are used in our society, and how people of different faiths may feel about this.
• Relationships – how relationships are affected by religion, including belonging to a faith and the LGBTQ+ community.
• War and Peace – the impact of religion upon conflict, and religious perspectives about war and peace.
• Women in Religion – the role of women in different religions and how far gender equality is important to religion.
• Religion in the Community – the local impact of religion.