RS

What is Religious Studies?

Religious Studies is the study of religious beliefs, behaviours and institutions, and how they have shaped and continue to shape the world in which we live. At Harris Academy Sutton, we also include the study of philosophy. Through philosophy, students study big, challenging, and sometimes unanswerable questions about the world and our lives.

Why do we teach Religious Studies at HASU?

Religious Studies is intended to give students an understanding of the world’s most influential and enduring religious and philosophical ideas. Over the three years of Key Stage 3, all students will develop their religious and cultural literacy through learning about a range of religious traditions. In addition, students will be introduced to philosophy through introductions to epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and social philosophy. Should students wish to continue the subject at GCSE, they will develop an even deeper understanding of the world’s two largest religions (Christianity and Islam) and analyse in greater detail how religious beliefs and practices influence life in the modern world today.

Fundamentally, we teach RS in order to develop students’ religious literacy. By this, we mean the knowledge of and ability to understand religion (and by extension our religiously influenced, multicultural, globalised world). RS at HASU intends to send our students into the world with an enduring understanding of and appreciation for religion and philosophy. Through RS, we develop students’ ability to empathise and ask probing questions of the ideas of others. Likewise, we help students to develop their literacy and oracy skills so that they can better understand and engage with the great conversations of humanity.

Religious studies also contributes as an important strand of our efforts as an Academy to promote fundamental British values, our Rights Respecting Schools agenda, and support our students wider social, moral, spiritual and cultural development (SMSC). Underpinning our entire RS curriculum are norms of tolerance, respect, and curiosity.

Pragmatically, we believe that a thorough understanding of religion and philosophy provides a fantastic academic foundation for further study in literature, history, the arts and beyond. We believe that it’s every child’s right to develop a thorough understanding of the ideas that have shaped, and continue to shape, our world.

How do we teach Religious Studies at HASU at Key Stage 3?

At Key Stage 3, each year is focussed on a series of core learning questions, which are addressed throughout the period of study. We study the world religions in chronological order, encouraging students to gain an appreciation for the way in which they have grown from and influenced one another.

Students address our core learning questions in a variety of ways: through discussion, engagement with sources and resources, and through engaging in genuine philosophical discourse of their own. We encourage students to engage with narrative and stories, and to evaluate the significance and implications of sacred texts for believers.

We believe that the explicit teaching of religious and philosophical vocabulary is fundamental to success in RS, and encourage students to deliberately practice their reading, writing and speaking in this subject.

How do we teach Religious Studies at HASU at Key Stage 4 at GCSE?

Students will have the option of studying Religious Studies at GCSE as part of our broad and balanced Key Stage 4 curriculum. At Key Stage 4, students will focus their studies on two strands:

• The study of religions: beliefs, teachings, and practices
• Thematic studies

These strands are taught alongside one another over the two years of the course, and at HASU we focus on the world’s two largest faiths: Christianity and Islam. Students will address these strands through the study of a sequence of learning questions over time, and as part of this study will engage in close analysis of religious scripture and investigation of contemporary religious practices. In a Key Stage 4 RS lesson, students might analyse a Bible passage, watch a short extract from a documentary on Street Pastors, and then tackle an extended written question on the role of the church in modern society.

How do we teach Religious Studies at HASU at Key Stage 4 for all students?

Religious Studies is an important and statutory part of the curriculum at all Key Stages for all students. At Key Stage 4, all students (regardless of whether they have chosen RS as an option) study our bespoke Religion, Philosophy and Ethics course as part of the wider Personal Development Curriculum. This course focusses on philosophical and ethical themes within religion, with a focus on students:

• Learning about religion (through learning about religious teachings and texts)
• Learning through religion (through consideration of their own ethical and philosophical principles)

More information can be found in the Subject Curriculum Plan for Key Stage 4 RPE (below) and on the Key Stage 4 RPE page of this website here.

What exam board do we study and Key Stage 4?

Students studying RS follow the AQA Religious Studies A (8062) Specification.

This specification can be found here.