Religious Education

Overview

Introduction

At Westfield School, our religious education (RE) curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, respect, and understanding of different worldviews, religions, and ethical perspectives. We aim to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities needed to engage meaningfully with religious and philosophical questions, fostering a sense of identity, purpose, and moral responsibility.

Through our curriculum, we encourage students to explore major world religions, non-religious beliefs, and contemporary ethical issues. Our lessons promote discussion, reflection and empathy, helping students to appreciate diversity while developing their own informed perspectives.

We strive to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and respected. By examining key beliefs, traditions, practices and moral issues, we nurture an awareness of how faith influences individuals and communities. Our curriculum supports British values, promoting tolerance, respect, and social cohesion.

Through engaging learning experiences, we challenge students to ask deep questions, develop reasoning skills, and articulate their views confidently. We prepare them for life in a diverse society, empowering them to contribute positively to their communities with integrity and compassion. Ultimately, our RE curriculum fosters a lifelong appreciation for learning about religion and ethics, preparing students for further study and responsible citizenship in a multicultural world.

Course leader

Mr D Dickinson

Curriculum

Course content

Year7

• What are beliefs? Students explore what makes people religious, the difference between religious and non-religious beliefs as well as explaining some of their own key beliefs.
• Religious leaders: a study of Abraham, Jesus and Muhammad and why they are still inspirational religious leaders.
• Religious festivals: what are major religious festivals, how and why are they celebrated and are they still relevant today.
• The Holocaust: a critical analysis of how the events of the Holocaust impacted Jewish faith in God.
• Buddhism: students will explore the significance of the Buddha and key Buddhist teaching.

Year 8

• Looking for God: what are the key arguments for and against the existence of God?
• The value and importance of life: students explore the philosophical and moral issues surrounding the question what makes humans valuable.
• Rites of passage: how do different religions approach birth, coming of age, marriage, death and the afterlife.
• Places of worship: an introduction to what places of worship are and their significance for religious believers and the wider community.

Year 9

• Ethics & morality: students will explore key moral issues like poverty, moral theories regarding right and wrong, the ethics of war and euthanasia.
• Crime and punishment: students will explore key issues such as reasons for crime, the aims of punishment, attitudes to the treatment of criminals, young offenders, attitudes to forgiveness and the death penalty.
• Relationships and family: what are religious and non-religious attitudes to human sexuality, attitudes to sex before and outside of marriage and the importance of family.

Topics

Year7

• What are beliefs?
• Religious leaders.
• Religious festivals.
• The Holocaust.
• Buddhism.

Year 8

• Looking for God.
• The value and importance of life.
• Rites of passage.
• Places of worship.

Year 9

• Ethics and morality.
• Crime and punishment.
• Relationships and family.

Skills and requirements

Skills developed

The main concepts and skills that religious education at Westfield aim to promote are:

1. Critical thinking and analysis: evaluating religious beliefs, ethical issues, and philosophical questions.
2. Empathy and respect: understanding diverse perspectives and fostering tolerance for different cultures and beliefs.
3. Communication skills: expressing ideas clearly through discussion, debate, and written work.
4. Reflection and self-awareness: considering personal beliefs and values in relation to different worldviews.
5. Research and enquiry: investigating religious texts, traditions, and ethical issues using various sources.
6. Moral and ethical reasoning: exploring right and wrong, justice, and moral dilemmas in different contexts.

These skills prepare students for further education, personal development, and responsible citizenship in a diverse society.

 

Note: parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education and/or collective worship. Further information and a copy of the form to complete in order to request withdrawal is available in the RE withdrawal application form (www.chorustrust.org/policies).