INTENT

Religion and Worldviews is taught broadly in accordance with the aims and content of the Cornwall Agreed syllabus. Our curriculum is designed to provide students with a balanced programme that covers aspects of Christianity, Buddhism, and Judaism, along with a range of ethical and philosophical issues. The primary aim is to enhance students' spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Students are also taught how to develop an attitude of respect towards different beliefs and cultures.

At Key Stage 4, students begin their GCSE Religious Studies in Year 9, delving into topics related to Relationships, Human Rights, Good and Evil, and Life and Death. Religion and Worldviews develops a sense of moral responsibility amongst students.  By exploring the ideas of great thinkers and changemakers, students understand the impact of a resilient attitude.  Our approach is non-denominational, ensuring inclusivity, and we encourage parents to allow their children to participate. However, parents retain the right to withdraw their children from both Religion and Worldviews classes and assembly, with requests to be submitted in writing to the Headteacher.

IMPLEMENTATION

We encourage students to engage with REW by discussing how everyone holds a worldview- so no opting out of holding an opinion. Class and group discussion/debate is a key feature of the course. After-school revision/drop-in sessions are offered in the run-up to the GCSE examination.

• Lessons will contain lots of ways to gather information and formulate opinions,

The curriculum is structured so that concepts are revisited through different units over the key stages. The spiral structure of the curriculum helps embed ideas in each student’s schema:

Year 7

• Introduction to worldviews
• Exploration of Judaism and Islam
• Examination of the radical teachings of Jesus
• Study of spirituality in Cornwall expressed through the arts

Year 8

• Investigation of whether happiness should be the purpose of life, with a focus on Buddhism
• Discussion on the impact of atheism and agnosticism
• Exploration of strange and mysterious phenomena
• Study of global changemakers and how they showed resilience in changing people’s lives,

Year 9

• Christian beliefs
• Jewish beliefs
• Ethical issues related to Good and Evil

Years 10 and 11

At GCSE students are required to engage with ethical and religious issues. They evaluate religious and non-religious attitudes which develop their own sense of moral responsibility.

• Christian practices
• Jewish practices
• Relationships
• Issues of Human Rights
• Matters of Life and Death

This is a carefully sequenced spiral curriculum whereby concepts are revisited throughout the key stages to help embed understanding. There is also a thread that runs through each year group:

Year 7 - Engaging with worldviews by looking at different responses to the divine

Year 8 - Evaluating ideas on what gives us purpose in life

Year 9 - Empowering students with building foundations for GCSE by studying the basis of Christianity and Judaism

We foster a respectful environment where students learn to respect the views of others and feel able to contribute to discussion. Students are encouraged to be resilient learners by correcting misconceptions and developing their writing skills through scaffolds and guided instruction.  Teachers adapt activities to empower all to learn and be confident students. There are high expectations of behaviour to enable us to teach students the right learning habits for success. We aim to enthuse students so that they will become curious, lifelong learners.

IMPACT

The Religion and Worldviews curriculum aims to cultivate a deep understanding and appreciation of diverse beliefs and ethical perspectives amongst students. By engaging with different religious traditions and philosophical questions, students develop critical thinking skills and a broad-minded approach to complex moral issues. This programme not only prepares students for their GCSE examinations but also fosters a lifelong capacity for empathy, cultural awareness, and ethical reasoning.

Awareness of desirable skills in REW is assessed by the teacher during lessons and through carefully constructed assessments. Raising levels of student’s oracy and literacy is developed through a focus on Tier2/3 words. Misconceptions about facts or beliefs are assessed through retrieval quizzes and Satchel 1 quizzes.  

The inclusive, non-denominational delivery of the curriculum ensures that all students, regardless of their background, can participate and benefit from the educational experience.

Studying Religious Studies can also provide a strong foundation for further education in various fields, such as Theology, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, and Ethics.

A GCSE in Religious Studies can lead to a variety of careers that benefit from the skills and knowledge acquired through studying this subject. These careers often involve critical thinking, empathy, cultural awareness, and ethical reasoning. Some potential career pathways include:

1. Teaching and Academia:
   • Religious Studies Teacher
   • Lecturer in Theology or Religious Studies
   • Researcher in Religious Studies
2. Social and Community Services:
   • Social Worker
   • Community Development Worker
   • Youth Worker
   • Charity Worker
3. Law and Human Rights:
   • Lawyer (particularly in fields like human rights or family law)
   • Legal Advisor
   • Human Rights Advocate
4. Healthcare:
   • Chaplain (in hospitals, prisons, or the military)
   • Counsellor or Therapist
   • Healthcare Worker
5. Media and Journalism:
   • Journalist (specialising in religious affairs)
   • Broadcaster
   • Writer or Editor for religious publications
6. Public Services:
   • Civil Servant
   • Diplomat
   • Policy Advisor
7. Business and Management:
   • Human Resources Manager
   • Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
   • Diversity and Inclusion Specialist
8. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs):
   • International Aid Worker
   • Program Coordinator
   • Advocacy Officer
9. Interfaith and Cultural Organisations:
   • Interfaith Dialogue Coordinator
   • Cultural Advisor
   • Religious Affairs Specialist
10. Ethics and Philosophy:
    • Ethics Consultant
    • Philosopher
    • Bioethicist

Studying Religious Studies can also provide a strong foundation for further education in various fields, such as Theology, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology, and Ethics, which can open up additional career opportunities.