Curriculum Intent
At Archway Learning Trust, we desire that all learners come to understand and value the centrality of faith in our world. We aim to teach a Religious Studies curriculum that has powerful knowledge at its core, is academically challenging, culturally rich and relevant to all. We want learners to view Religious Studies as an academic subject with rigorous demands that align with the demands of other Humanities subjects.
It is our hope that through the study of RS, all learners develop a sense of identity and can evaluate their personal beliefs whilst reflecting on the beliefs of others. They will develop an understanding of core concepts that fall under the three pillars of thought which have shaped the society that we live in today, namely: theology, philosophy and ethics. These core concepts will allow learners to cyclically explore what people believe in, how these beliefs are expressed and how, in turn, this impacts the way in which people live. Thus, our course enables learners to become religiously literate whilst also building curiosity about the world that we live in.
Each unit of work is underpinned by foundations of beliefs that are outlined in religious and secular sources of authority. We think it is important to use these texts as a foundation upon which to build, so that learners can start to unpick the role of interpretation in discerning religious beliefs. It is also important that we teach students to be critical interpreters who can form their own views whilst appraising the scriptures presented. We want learners to gain a deeper understanding of how texts can be manipulated over time, but we also want them to recognise how these texts can still be relevant in society today. Through gaining this knowledge, we can promote tolerance and respect for ‘the other’ whilst also allowing students to understand how their own beliefs may shape their worldviews, morality and identity. Our RS curriculum prepares all for life in modern Britain, celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion whilst warning of the dangers of extremism and intolerance.
As well as this, our intent for all learners is that they can develop their skills of evaluation through encouraging them to formulate arguments in an academic and empathetic way. These discussions are key for our multi-cultural, ethnically diverse, pluralist society to function in a way that leads to harmony, peace and mutual respect for all.
Please click on the following link to see an overview of our curriculum for Religious Studies:
Religious Studies Curriculum Overview
Potential careers:
Some careers that Religious Studies might be particularly helpful include:
Advice worker, Archivist, Charity fundraiser, Charity officer, Civil Service administrator, Community development worker, Editorial assistant, Equality, diversity and inclusion officer, Mediator, Newspaper journalist, Policy officer, Solicitor, Youth worker.
Useful links or websites:
BBC: Religions
BBC: A to Z of Religions and Beliefs (an animated guide)
AQA | GCSE | Religious Studies A | Specification at a glance
BBC Bitesize: Religious Studies
