Religious Studies

The key aim of Religious Studies is to enable every young person to gain an understanding of religions and give them the opportunity to reflect on and evaluate a variety of world views. Religious Studies contributes to education at Campion School by provoking challenging questions about meaning and purpose in life through the study of religions and worldviews. Students learn about and from religions and worldviews in local, national and global contexts and learn to weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources by being reasonable about their own beliefs and the beliefs of others. In doing this, they learn to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences while respecting the right of others to differ.

The curriculum in Religious Studies should encourage growth of knowledge and understanding within a range of religions and worldviews and enable students to develop an aptitude for dialogue. This enables students to participate positively in our society with its diverse religions and worldviews. In addition to its contribution as an academic discipline, RS offers distinctive opportunities to promote students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development by providing a structured and safe space for reflection, dialogue and debate.

Religious Studies is a core compulsory subject that is taught to all students in Key Stage 3 and 4.

Students in Key Stage 3 will study the Six Major World Religions as shown on the Learning Journey.

Students will begin their Key Stage 4 GCSE study in Year 9 and will sit their exam in Year 11.

We follow the AQA Religious Studies A GCSE focusing on the Christianity and Islam and the study of 4 Themes, detailed on the Learning Journey.

At Key Stage 5 we offer AQA A Level Philosophy

Students will:

• develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism
• develop their knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings and sources of wisdom and authority, including through their reading of key religious texts, other texts and scriptures of the religions they are studying
• develop their ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject
• reflect on and develop their own values, belief, meaning, purpose, truth and their influence on human life
• reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and global community.

Parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or part of religious education. For any requests to withdraw your child from religious education, please contact the school to arrange a meeting with the Principal in the first instance. Write to Kim Bradley: K.Bradley@campionschool.org.uk to request a meeting.