Religious Studies

Contact Head of Department: Sophie.curtis@jhanson.hants.sch.uk

At John Hanson, we follow the Hampshire agreed syllabus for Religious studies, the Living Difference IV, we follow the ideas and concepts set out in the syllabus, the aim of which is “to introduce children and young people to what a religious way of looking at, and existing in, the world may offer in leading one’s life, individually and collectively.

It recognises and acknowledges that the question as to what it means to lead one’s life with such an orientation can be answered in a number of qualitatively different ways. These include the idea that to lead a religious life means to subscribe to certain propositional beliefs (religion as truth); the idea that to live a religious life means to adhere to certain practices (religion as practice); and the idea that to live a religious life is characterised in a particular way of being in and with the world, with a particular kind of awareness of, and faith in, the world and human beings (religion as existence).

Religious education in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton intends to play an educational part in the lives of children and young people as they come to speak, think and act in the world.

This entails teacher bringing children and young people first to attend to their own experience and that of others, to engage intellectually with material that is new and to discern with others what is valuable with regard to living a religious life or one informed by a non-religious or other perspective.”

Religious Studies is taught through concepts, particularly the 4 Golden Threads: Love, Special, Belonging and Community), delivered through the pedagogical process of the cycle of enquiry. This cycle facilitates learning about the religion, but also allows for personal reflection and in-depth evaluations. At Year 9, students begin to grapple with GSCE topics to prepare them for the options process. Students are in mixed ability groups, and regular assessment and feedback ensure we give students immediate and effective support throughout their academic year. Standards and expectations are high.

Key Stage 3:

Year 7- Understanding core beliefs of a range of traditions and religions (special); Christianity - God (love), Agape and Church (community); Judaism – Identity (belonging), Torah;  Islam - Prayer, Ummah (community); and Stewardship, the environment, caring for our planet (special and community).

Year 8 – Developing understanding of how different beliefs and concepts impact the way we live in the world; Christianity - Forgiveness,  Reconciliation and  Atonement; Social responsibility (community); Buddhism - Sangha (community) and Enlightenment (meditation); and Social justice, equality and equity (belonging and community)

Year 9 – Christianity: the life and impact of Jesus (special/sacred); Islam: the life and impact of Muhammad (special/sacred); Human Rights (love, belonging and community); Ethics and morality (love and special); Media portrayals, perceptions and misconceptions of different groups, including religious groups (community and belonging); Christianity misunderstanding and misuse (love).

Key Stage 4:

The option groups take the AQA Religious Studies A course.  During year 10 and 11, student study the Beliefs, Teachings and Practices of Islam and Christianity, they also learn about four Thematic Studies – Relationships and Families, Religion Peace and Conflict, Religion, Crime and Punishment and Human Rights and Social Justice.

Exams are graded between 1-9 and based on knowledge, explanation and evaluative skills.  The whole course is assessed on two exams at the end of year 11 (1hour and 45mins each).

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