Religious Education

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Intent

At Oulton academy, Religious Education (RE) is embraced as part of our broad and balanced curriculum. During their study of RE, an Oulton student will learn about the way we live with different beliefs and cultures.

It is our intention that students in Key Stage 3 learn by posing big questions such as where do we come from and who decides what is right? As students move through Key Stage 4, they will further explore elements of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism, and be challenged to compare core belief systems leading to the exploration of ethics.

This understanding of different beliefs, religions and cultures helps prepare our students for life in modern Britain by developing our Oulton values. The development of our values through our RE curriculum also allows students to become reflective and empathetic members of our community. Because students will be taught to question, consider and appreciate the views of others, they are well prepared to make a positive contribution to our ever-changing world.

Objectives

The overarching aim for Religious Education is to provide students with:

  • Accurate and relevant knowledge about different cultures and belief systems.
  • Opportunities to explore learning and transform knowledge into personal understanding and development.
  • The ability to understand, respect and tolerate the views of others.
  • Opportunities to explore, clarify and – if necessary – challenge their own and others’ values, and beliefs.
  • Opportunities to develop their cultural understanding of life in modern Britain.

Implementation

RE is taught as a part of the Life curriculum at Oulton Academy. As a starting point for our curriculum we used the Leeds SACRE syllabus as a base to ensure we deliver a rich and diverse curriculum. We also have a specialised Personal Development day which is dedicated to religion and ethics during Half Term 2 which includes age appropriate study of certain topics such as human rights, crime and punishment, and war/conflict.

Our RE curriculum covers:

What do people believe about God

Students will explore:

  • Gods in polytheistic and monotheistic religions.
  • The nature of a Christian God and the resulting issue of theodicy.
  • Religious views on world creation and the sources of wisdom that underpin them.
  • Non-religious views on world creation.
  • How religion and science can coexist (with a focus on differing Christian explanations).
  • Good, free will and the need for human compassion and charity.

Life and Death

Students will explore:

  • A variety of beliefs about life after death through time and across the world.
  • The idea of a human soul.
  • The view of different religions about judgement and the need for punishment.
  • Divergent Christian beliefs about eschatology.

Good and Evil

Students will explore:

  • Differing rules in society including different Christian interpretations.
  • The problem of judgement.
  • Moral and legal codes.
  • The importance of charity to society.
  • The importance of charity in religion.
  • Situation ethics.
  • The application of ethics to Artificial Intelligence.

Religious Worship

Students will explore:

  • Christianity
  • Islam
  • Sikhism
  • Hinduism
  • Buddhism

Within these religions, they also explore:

  • The key tenants and practices of a faith.
  • The impact of that faith upon a person’s actions.
  • Key rituals and the role of collective worship.
  • The importance of religious buildings.
  • Sacred sites.

Impact

  • Our students will become informed and respectful members of the local community and society.
  • Students will be on their journey to prepare them for life and work in modern Britain.
  • Our students will demonstrate and apply the British Values of Democracy, the Rule of Law, Individual Liberty, Mutual Respect and Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs and for those without faith.
  • Students will demonstrate a healthy outlook towards other cultures, faiths and religions resulting in higher tolerance and less bullying.

Right to Withdraw:

In the UK, parents have the right to withdraw their children from Religious Education on the grounds that they wish to make their own provision. This alternative will be the parents’ responsibility. Parents also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE and can do so without giving any explanation.

We believe, however, that it would be useful for parents to notify the Principal in the first instance for a brief discussion in order to ensure that any requests to withdraw can be met promptly.

Further Information

If you require more detailed information, please email the Subject Leader Mr V Marklew: