Department: Religious Education

Curriculum Intention:

The UK has a rich heritage of culture and diversity but this is not necessarily apparent to students at the Academy who mostly experience life through small Somerset villages or towns. Religious education is about teaching young people (regardless of the personal ideas of either student or teacher), about recognised Religion and beliefs which inform values and are reflected in what is said and behaviour demonstrated.

The aim is for students to acquire core knowledge and understanding of the beliefs and practices of several world religions; with a recognition that Christianity is the main religion to have shaped their own history and culture. Students should also be able to recognise other religions which have become visible in their local/national community and reflect on the impact of these in society and public life; often brought to public attention through extensive media coverage. It is important for our young people to learn to be respectful of both their own and other people’s beliefs & cultures, in order to make schools and communities a fairer place for everybody; whatever their religion, culture, language or background.

The Academy broadly follows “AMV”, The Agreed Religious Education Syllabus for Somerset. Coverage of religions at KS3 includes Christianity plus Buddhism and Islam.

Curriculum Implementation: 

• The KS3 curriculum aims to cover substantive content and concepts of 3 world religions, rather than covering excessive amounts of content superficially. What is taught is grounded in academic facts about religion to prevent pupils from developing misconceptions.
  • Year 7: Judaism
  • Year 8: Islam
  • Year 9: Christianity
• KS4: All students study RE at GCSE Level, and follow the Eduqas specification: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/wpojjvm0/eduqas-gcse-rs-spec-full-from-2016-e-14-05-2020.pdf

Monitoring and assessing curriculum impact: 

• KS3: Students complete standardised, summative assessments towards the end of each term of work. 3 assessments over the academic year.
• KS4: Students are monitored through the completion of past paper questions, at both the midway and end of each unit of work. These are marked against the GCSE criteria.
• In Year 11, students complete:
  • 1 exam of 2 hrs : Religious Themes
  • 1 exam of 1 hr : Christianity
  • 1 exam of 1 hr : Islam