RELIGIOUS STUDIES - KS3

 

Religious Studies Learning Journey

 

WHO’S WHO?

Progress Leader:  Mr L Betney
Teaching Staff: Miss Ellis
Link Governor:  Mr P Sharples

OUR AIMS

We follow the Lancashire Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education’s syllabus. This ensures our units or work are rigorous, academic and reflect the religious makeup of the local community. Students at Up Holland High School learn what religious people might do but also why they may do this. The learning focuses on key ideas within religious traditions but also diversity within different faiths. Students are encouraged to reflect on different aspects of religion and spirituality. Non-religious ideas are included in our units of work to ensure students receive the breadth and depth of education required to truly understand the divergent perspectives in society.

Year 7, 8 and 9 students begin each year with a thematic study of religion. Each unit spans different religious beliefs and applies them to real world issues, encouraging students to contrast their own perspective with these issues. This will be followed by a study of an eastern religious tradition, with a focus on how it is practised in the UK. Year 7 move onto studying the role of Jesus within Christianity and explore teaching related to being neighbourly. Students will consider how these teachings have influenced British culture. The year 7 curriculum will move onto a unit of work exploring Islam, this unit of work will be revisited and explored further in year 8 and 9.

Year 8 students will study central Christian beliefs and explore aspects of unity between the Christian faith. Students will move on to learning about Islam, building on knowledge gained in year 7.

Year 9 students will study religious views of evil in the world and explore responses to evil actions. They will move on to learning about the existence of the universe and the differing views that exist within society for the meaning of human existence. Year 9 will then continue their study of Islam building on knowledge gained in year 7 and 8.

All students in Key Stage 3 will be given the opportunity to enter the Spirited Arts national competition which runs every year.

 

 

YEAR 7

    

TERM

UNIT OF STUDY

KEY SKILLS / LEARNING

Autumn

Autumn What do we mean by religion and worldviews? (Thematic)
What is the purpose of life? (Hindu Dharma)

Identifying, describing and explaining.
Reflecting on personal beliefs.
Understanding rituals and symbolism.

Spring

Who was Jesus? (Christianity)
How should we treat our neighbours? (Christianity)

Analysis of evidence.
Interpretation of scripture.
Reflecting on personal beliefs.

Summer

 

The study of Islam (Islam)
Spirited Arts competition (Thematic)

Interpretation of scripture.
Understanding symbolism in art.
Finding personal meaning.

YEAR 8

    

Autumn

How might faith inspire people? (Thematic)
What matters in the journey of life? (Hindu Dharma)

Contrasting and evaluating.
Finding personal meaning.
Interpretation of scripture.

Spring

What beliefs are central to Christianity and what is faith? (Christianity)

Explore, explain, evaluate.

 

Summer

What does belonging mean to a Muslim in the UK? (Islam)
Spirited Arts competition (Thematic)

Identify, explain, contrast, evaluate.
Understanding symbolism in art.
Finding personal meaning.

YEAR 9

    

Autumn

Does religion matter in the 21st Century? (Thematic)
Is suffering part of human experience? (Buddhism)

Contrasting ideas.
Exploring divergent beliefs.
 

Spring

Why is evil a problem? (Christianity and Humanism)
Caused by chance? (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)

Evaluation.
Interpretation of scripture.
Exploring different beliefs.

Summer

What matters most in Islam? (Islam)
Spirited Arts competition (Thematic)

Divergent religious beliefs.
Understanding symbolism in art.
Finding personal meaning.

ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  • Visit to St Thomas the Martyr
  • Visit to Liverpool Cathedral
  • Battlefield residential

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING

  • Ask them what they think about current affairs and how they affect them.
  • Encourage them to watch documentaries and read books on religion, philosophy and politics or people or events that capture their interest and imagination.

WHERE TO GO:

  • Liverpool Cathedrals
  • The Walker Art Gallery
  • World Museum (Liverpool)
  • Local Churches, Mosques or Temples
  • International War Museum Manchester

WHAT TO WATCH:

  • The News
  • Prince of Egypt, Disney
  • Hidden Figures
  • The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas
  • The Diary of A Young Girl (Anne Frank), BBC adaptation
  • Bruce Almighty

WHAT TO READ:

  • The Chronicles of Narnia, C. S Lewis
  • Phillip Pullman novels
  • The Giver, Lois Lowry
  • Biographies/Autobiographies: Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Malala Yousafzai, and other influential figures
  • The Diary of A Young Girl (Anne Frank)
  • Are you there God? It’s me Margaret, Judy Blume
  • Across the Barricades, Joan Lingard (Year 9)
  • War Horse, Michael Morpurgo (Year 9)
  • I am David, Anne Holm
  • Monsters of Men, Patrick Ness (Year 9)

ONLINE:

 

BBC Bitesize Religious Studies