Why do we learn Religious Education?
Students become religiously literate and engage in the big questions. Students will know how and why religious beliefs, practices, texts and customs inform a believer’s actions and responses to the world.
Students consider their own values and how these are influenced by societal values and religious beliefs. They demonstrate respect for living in a multicultural society and worldviews. This is done through learning about all 6 main religions and the perspective of non-religious worldviews.
Thinking religiously means:
- Understanding how beliefs, cultures and customs affect actions, ideas and behaviours.
- Explore differences in ethical norms within societies either influenced by belief or none.
- Engage with the big questions and philosophically explore these while respecting one another’s views that may differ from others.
- Recognise that attitudes and values vary towards ethical, and philosophical approaches.
- Develop a rich understanding of the diversity within society and how this is influenced by attitudes and values.
- Students develop a knowledge of scripture and tradition within practices.
Head of Department
Collette Iglinski
Our approach
At Ark Alexandra Academy students are asked to consider their own views of the world, their values and how these are influenced by external factors. Students will be asked to explore the key beliefs, teachings and values of the Abrahamic faiths, Buddhism and explore Philosophical and Moral reasoning with respect to how these impact a person's worldview and personal values.
Secondary
In Key Stage 3, students follow the Ark-aligned RS curriculum in mixed attainment classes, ensuring that all students continue to be exposed to the full higher-tier curriculum until the end of Year 8. This gives every student, regardless of prior attainment, the opportunity to achieve a grade of 5+ at GCSE. The Ark-aligned RS curriculum also identifies key criteria required of the East Sussex agreed on syllabus and the Diocese of Chichester.
In Key Stage 4, we are following the AQA 8062MA specification. Paper 1 Christian beliefs and Practices, Islam beliefs and practices; Paper 2 Theme A Relationships and Families, Theme B Religion and Life, Theme D Religion, conflict and peace and Theme F Religion and social justice. Units are designed to build on content learnt in KS3, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills to solve a range of new problems and increasingly complex and abstract topics, preparing them for A-Level study. Students currently sit their GCSE at the end of Year 10.
Year 7
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Old Testament - Genesis | Old Testament: Exodus to Exile / New Testament |
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Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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New Testament: The Life and Teachings of Jesus | Buddhism |
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Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Judaism: History and Belief | Judaism in the Modern World |
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Year 8
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Christianity: History and Belief | Christianity in the Modern World |
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Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Islam: History and Belief | Islam in the Modern World |
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Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Philosophy | Moral Philosophy : Ethics |
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Year 9
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Christian Beliefs | Christian Practices |
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Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Christian Practices continued | Islam Practices |
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Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Islamic Practices continued/ Islamic beliefs | Islamic beliefs |
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Studying Religious Education at GCSE
Year 10
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Theme A Relationships and Families | Theme B Religion and Life |
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Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Theme D Religion, Conflict and Peace | Theme F Religion, human rights and social justice |
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Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Revision and Exam | Theme C Belief in God |
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Year 11
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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Sixth Form
In Key Stage 5, we have a growing A-Level cohort each year who follow the AQA A-Level RS course which provides them with highly transferable skills and knowledge in the fields of Philosophy, Ethics and Christianity.
Year 12
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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2 units
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2 units
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Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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2 units
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2 units
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Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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2 units
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2 units
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Year 13
Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
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2 units
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2 units
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Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
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2 units
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2 units
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Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
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External exams | External exams |
Revision | Revision |