Religious Studies
Subject Leader: Mrs Katherine France
katherine.france@queenkatherine.org
Religious Studies at QKS
We believe our students demonstrate a high level of religious literacy by being:
- Curious yet informed
- Respectful but critical
- Objective whilst being reflective
“At its best, it is intellectually challenging and personally enriching.”
Religious Education: Realising the potential, OFSTED.
Outcomes – all years
- students can outline religious beliefs and practices using accurate religious knowledge
- students can explain religious beliefs and practices using accurate religious teachings and examples
- students can compare and contrast religious and non-religious beliefs and practices using specific sources of authority
- students can develop arguments for and against controversial views using wide-ranging sources of authority
Key Stage 3
By the end of Key Stage 3 QKS students will have developed their religious literacy through understanding how religious and other worldviews manifest themselves in society.
This will involve a journey to an imaginary island, exploring stories, symbolism and ritual used in religion and developing an understanding of religious concepts such as God, Commitment and Faith. This will enable students by the end of Year 9 to explain religious beliefs and practices using accurate religious teachings and examples. Students will consider the impact that religion and worldviews have on issues such as life after death, the relationship with science, ethical issues, social justice, crime and punishment, peace and conflict and personal relationships. This will help them develop arguments for and against controversial views using wide-ranging sources of authority.
Key Stage 4
Following on from an exploration of religious beliefs, practices and issues, QKS students will delve further into Religion and Ethics through Christianity and Religion and Peace and Conflict through Islam.
Here they will become more aware of the divergent beliefs within religion, debate big moral issues and understand and analyse a range of opinions. Students will become more effective at making well-informed, coherent and reasoned judgements using evidence and examples.
Withdrawing your child from RS lessons
Parents have the right to withdraw their child from Religious Studies lessons in accordance with the 1988 Education Reform Act. If pupils are withdrawn from RS, schools have a duty to supervise them, but not to provide any additional teaching or incur extra cost. This time should not be used for other curriculum subject areas. If a parent chooses to withdraw their child from RS, they need to:
- Inform the school of their request for their child to be withdrawn from RS and whether they intend partial or total withdrawal of their child. This should be in writing to the Headteacher or Head of RS.
- Parents will be invited to meet with the Head of RS to share with the school their concerns about RS and to discuss the practical implication of withdrawal.
