In today’s multicultural society, whether religious, spiritual or atheistic, religion and belief continue to have an impact on almost every aspect of society. Studying RE helps our pupils to develop a knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and values which have shaped the world we live in and continue to have a huge impact on people throughout the modern world. By exploring issues within and across faiths, pupils learn to understand different religions, beliefs, values and traditions and their influence on individuals, communities and cultures. Pupils develop their own ideas, values and identities so that they can participate positively and respectfully in our diverse society.
At Rhyddings, we follow the Lancashire Agreed Syllabus for RE – “Searching for meaning”. The aim of the syllabus is to support pupils’ personal search for meaning as they explore what it means to be human. The curriculum is progressive, clearly sequenced and suitably ambitious.
Teaching and Learning in RE at Rhyddings aims to develop curiosity, investigative and questioning skills, with an enquiring mind. In lessons, pupils not only examine the evolution of beliefs and practices of major world religions, but they are also encouraged to consider thought-provoking and challenging questions about the meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, religious issues or morality and what it means to be human.
Pupils learn about the complexity and diversity of religious and non-religious worldviews in local, national and global contexts, to discover, explore and consider different answers to these questions. We aim to develop pupils who can articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences, whilst respecting the rights of others to differ, showing tolerance and empathy of how and why people are unique and different.
Our intent for RE at Rhyddings is to provide a rigorous academic curriculum that is ambitious, challenging, enriching and inclusive. This reflect the whole school curriculum intent to provide our pupils with a broad and balanced educational experience that embraces the skills and knowledge needed to understand, interpret and flourish in the world in which they live. Pupils are equipped with academic discipline, ethical in their interactions with society and empowered in their community collaboration. Pupils are provided with opportunity to engage with real life case studies; interactive workshops in school (e.g. Every Action Has Consequences – One Punch), online webcasts (e.g. Holocaust Survivor Talks), as well as written learning material designed to enhance the cultural capital of our pupils.
Pupils study Religious Education one hour per week in KS3, increasing to two hours per week in KS4. The content taught within KS3 curriculum is designed to promote students’ curiosity, analytical skills and develop a deeper understanding of the world around us. Pupils study the main world faiths, with greater weighting to the Abrahamic faiths, and non-religious worldviews with a focus on Humanism. The curriculum is sequenced to build on and deepen knowledge and understanding of religious traditions. Lessons include studying the work of philosophers and religious thinkers, learning through the stories from religious scriptures and investigating case studies that link religious Belief, Teachings and Practice. The RE curriculum is intended as knowledge rich, including both substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge, to allow development of personal knowledge.
- Sociologist – analysing data, trends and information about identified groups within society
- Business people/traders – considering ethical and moral approaches to business and their market audience
- Police/Fire/Ambulance – liaising with religious individuals/communities to create positive relationships
- Media (Journalist/photographer/editor) – understanding essential facts to represent factual information and fair representation of different views
- Volunteer workers – following a vocation/calling to support humankind
- Counsellor/ therapist/ Mental Health worker – handling sensitive situations and supporting people through their personal conflicts
- Chef/Catering/Hospitality – awareness of religious dietary needs and cultural sensitivity
- Marriage celebrant/guidance counsellor – officiating formal ceremonies and providing support for relationships
- Legal practitioner – handling cases linked to family dispute, peace negotiations, religious vs non-religious conflicts
Right to Withdraw from Religious Education (RE):
Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their child from all or part of Religious Education (RE) lessons. If you wish to exercise this right, please contact your child’s Head of Year in the first instance. They will liaise with the appropriate staff to discuss the process and any necessary arrangements.
