Welcome to possibly the most exciting journey you will ever take. RE is all about thinking, about yourself and your own beliefs and about others with different beliefs, traditions and practices in the wider world. This is sometimes described as philosophy.
In RE we learn how to think about difficult questions with a view to finding some but not necessarily all answers. We look at ethical issues and debate what is considered to be right and wrong, as well as consider why people make such decisions.
To embark on the RE learning journey you need an open mind and an inquisitive nature. Our aim is to equip all pupils with the relevant skills and confidence to become successful critical thinkers who reach their true potential. Therefore, lessons are delivered in a creative and imaginative way, employing a ‘philosophy of learning and providing opportunities for experiential learning.
What skills will I develop?
RE is a valuable and highly valued subject at St Edward’s. RE encourages students to write persuasively, use evidence in support of arguments, and consider the impact of culture and beliefs on decisions. Students will also gain critical analysis skills as well as empathy with the views of others.
One of the main applications of RE in the ‘real world’ today is being able to understand and write arguments – an invaluable skill in law, medicine, journalism or any of the highly skilled professions our students might be considering as a career in the future.
What do we cover?
RE is all about showcasing a variety of beliefs, traditions, and cultures so that pupils can learn and appreciate their own values, attitudes, and beliefs. RE at St. Edward’s Church of England Academy continues with a strong Christian ethos, however, we focus on all the main world religions with a focus in year 7 on Judaism and Sikhism in year 5. The topics that we focus on serve as a valued comparison and companion to the World Religions previously covered in the first school and the Philosophy and Ethics focus at High School.
Year 5
Belief – Introducing students to key terminology when discussing belief and providing them with a framework to critically examine the differences between faith, belief, and knowledge.
The Big Six religions – A comparative exploration of the 6 main world religions focusing on symbolism, belief, and practice.
Sikhism – Focusing on learning about the key beliefs and practices in Sikhism: The 10 Guru’s, the teachings of Guru Nanak, the Guru Granth, Sahib, the Gurdwara, and the Nishan Sahib.
Miracles – Focusing on a range of different religious ‘miracles. Comparing, reflecting on, and analyzing what makes something miraculous and why for many there is skepticism and disbelief.
Powerful Parables – A detailed study of Jesus’ parables focusing on the themes and their impact and importance on the lives of Christians.
Year 6
Creation – Creation stories from around the world (Christianity, Hinduism and Greek Mythology)
Stewardship-A practical exploration of how our beliefs impact our actions and a focused study of different charities and organizations make a difference
Pilgrimages- We look at a wide range of different religious pilgrimages, considering similarities and differences, the difference between a pilgrimage and a journey and why people want to go on a pilgrimage
Embracing differences- A detailed study of different beliefs, practices and religious traditions to help students understand diversity and embrace difference
Ethical choices- An ethical exploration of different scenarios and case studies to support students to apply values and beliefs
Year 7
Good and Evil– A philosophical and ethical exploration of where evil comes from reflecting on how different religions and societies approach
Peace and Christmas-
The Lion, the Witch and the wardrobe– Exploring and analysing the Christian symbolism, characters, and themes in the book
Judaism – We look at the roles of Abraham and Moses, God’s laws, the Torah, Worship, Shabbat, Mezuzahs, food laws, special occasions and marriage.
What makes us human? – A look at our own values and beliefs. How do we feel about religion and spirituality?
Year 8
The Civil Rights Movement – The role of religion during this era.
Was Jesus a rebel? -Considering different Biblical stories about Jesus, analysing art, media, modern-day practice and beliefs to help to facilitate a deeper understanding of who Christians believe Jesus was.
Easter- An in-depth study of the Easter story and its significance for Christians today.
Extreme Religion – Is religion always a force for good? How misinterpretations and judgments can affect local communities and the wider world focusing on specific groups.
Is Religion out of touch? – An ethical and philosophical exploration of Religion in the 21st Century.
Staffing
- Specialist Leader of Learning – Mrs. L Harrop teaching both KS2 – KS3
- Miss H. Jones: RE Teacher
- Cate Hall: RE Teacher
Timetabling
There are two lessons of RE per week. Pupils are taught in their mixed ability form groups.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
10:10 Ambassadors and our Philosophy group for KS3 students
Community Links
The department has strong links with St Edwards Church and Rev Nigel Irons delivers some of our school assemblies and supports students who wish to be confirmed.
Visits
Year 5 trip to St Edwards Church where pupils learn about the different roles available in the church community and the role of Jesus as a shepherd for Christians.
Derby Faith Trail for year 7 students exploring different religious practices and traditions. Students have the opportunity to visit a Gurdwara, a Mosque, and a Hindu Temple.
