This image captures well our vision for Religious Studies at Bishop Challoner; as we invite our students to ‘Come and See’ what religious beliefs and practices contain.
As teachers of Religious Studies, we regard ourselves as dealers in hope; a hope which is vital for our future generation who face uncertainty and ever-shifting cultural values. We try to raise their vision as individuals, to believe in themselves and dream big. We challenge our pupils to consider a sometimes counter-cultural/ alternative message and offer them space to gain perspective on life’s Big Questions.
There is much to be learned not just about but also from other world religions. In a multi-faith society, it is essential to equip our students with knowledge and understanding of other major beliefs. This will enable them to grow in understanding and respect for our global human community; all equally made in the image and likeness of God.
All RS is taught in the context of Gospel values; loving God and others.
Religious Education helps develop a holistic understanding of religion – the GCSE exam explores religion and practice in the 21st Century and encourages students to reflect on and engage with fundamental questions. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills to enable them to present a wide range of well-informed and reasonable arguments, ensuring readiness for AS and A level Religious Studies/ Philosophy and Ethics.
Through studying RS, students will learn about the spiritual aspects of all life and gain understanding about relationships with other people. They may become more appreciative of others and be able to understand another person’s motives, ideas and beliefs. Students will examine important issues affecting people throughout the world and issues that may impact their lives also.
Religious Education has many transferable skills which can be used in other areas of study and in a wide variety of career opportunities. All Colleges and many employers regard these skills as highly valuable.
Intro and self-portraits/ABC/ Baseline Assessment/ Living Stones/ Pilgrimage
Encountering the God who creates all and calls people to be stewards of creation
Investigating different interpretations of the Bible, particularly what does Genesis/scientific theories teach us about Creation
Prophecy and Promise
Discovering how God uses the Prophets to reach out to His people to bring them back into a relationship with him.
Exploring the Christian understanding of the prophets as they point to a fulfilment of God’s promise of a Messiah.
The Dignity of the Human Person
Discovering what it means to have innate dignity and how this can be overlooked in the modern world.
Considering our role and the Church’s role in tackling injustice and building God’s Kingdom.
Linking to CST and school Mission Statement
Autumn II
Creation and Covenant
Exploring our call from God and our role in creation.
Linking covenantal relationship with His people, Abraham and Moses.
Considering our responsibilities as stewards.
Promise and Promise
Exploring the importance of the Advent season and the expectant waiting for the Messiah.
Encountering the story of the nativity of Jesus and the mystery of the incarnation
Studying the sacrament of baptism.
Dialogue and Encounter
Considering how Christians work together with people of different religious convictions, working towards the common good.
Encountering other pathways drawing on the teaching of the Church and intercultural dialogue.
Spring I
Galilee to Jerusalem
Experiencing the ministry of Jesus, the Word of God.
Learning about the life of Jesus and his revelation of the Kingdom of God through parables, encounters, miracles and teachings.
Galilee to Jerusalem
Exploring the call of the disciples and the nature of being a follower of Jesus.
Considering their own calling as a disciple of Christ.
Intro to GCSE/ Judaism Beliefs
Introducing the outline of the course
Exploring the Jewish understanding of the nature of God, messiah, life after death
Investigating the key covenants
Exploring the Jewish Moral Principles.
Spring II
Desert to Garden
Investigating in detail the seasons of Lent and its culmination in the events of Holy Week.
Exploring the Paschal Triduum at the heart of the Catholic Church’s Liturgy and life.
Desert to Garden
Exploring the liturgical journey from the desert of Lent to the garden of Resurrection, the Paschal journey from darkness to light, barrenness to fruitfulness, death to life.
Judaism Beliefs/Practices
Considering the importance of the Sanctity of life the synagogue, clothing in worship
Understanding the significance of the synagogue and clothing worn during worship for Jews today.
Summer I
To the Ends of the Earth
Analysing in detail the gospel account of St Luke, investigating the role of the Holy Spirit
Exploring the events that flowed from the Resurrection and Ascension in the coming of the Holy Spirit, the work of the apostles and the early Church.
To the Ends of the Earth
Investigating the Catholic Church today as the apostolic Church and how its liturgy and structures flow from the early Church.
Exploring the significance of the sacrament of confirmation.
Judaism Practices
Considering the difference between Orthodox and Reform Jews.
Investigating how Shabbat is celebrated in the home and in the synagogue.
Exploring Jewish rites of passage and festivals
Summer II
Hinduism
Exploring the origins and history of Hinduism
Investigating Hindu beliefs in the Trimurti.
Exploring Hindu paths of spirituality, puja and key Hindu festivals like Holi.
Islam
Exploring the History of Islam
Investigating Muslim beliefs and customs, including the five pillars of faith and their impact, who is Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and why is the Mosque special to Muslims?
Creation
Exploring the origins of the Bible and the different Christian interpretations.
Investigating God’s nature and the nature of humans in the Genesis accounts.
For each of our major topics in Years 7 and 8, there will be an assessment at the end, accompanied by a learning ladder. Learning ladders are given to students prior to these assessments so that revision and preparation can be finely focused.
Year
Y10
Y11
Autumn  I
Creation unit – Interpretations of Genesis / Science/ Stewardship
Eschatology unit – The Four last things/ Last Judgement/ Cosmic Reconciliation/ Funerals.
Autumn  II
Incarnation unit – Birth Accounts/ Sacraments/ Abortion/ Moral Teachings
Religions, Relationships and Family unit – Theology of the Body/ Family Planning/ Gender/ Divorce, Marriage and Annulment.
Spring I
Triune God unit – Mystery of the Trinity/ Baptism/ Music and Prayer
Religion, human rights and social justice unit – Human Rights/ Wealth and Poverty/ Prejudice and Discrimination/ Charity Y11 Mock exam
Spring II
Redemption unit – Meaning of Christ’s Death, Resurrection & Ascension/ Eucharist/ Conscience
Revision
Summer I
Church and the Kingdom of God unit – Drama, Mission and Evangelism, Vocation, Vatican II, Pilgrimage
Revision/Final Exam
Summer II
Exam Technique/Revision/Year 10 Mock
Keystage 4: Religious Studies GCSE
Exam Board
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GCSE Religious Studies AQA Spec B
(Paper 1), 1 hour 45 mins
50% Catholic Christianity 25% Judaism (Beliefs and Practices)
(Paper 2), 1 hour 45 mins
25% Themes (Religion, Relationships and Families and Religion, Human rights and social justice).
Due to the extensive content of the GCSE, students begin their GCSE course in the January of Y9.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
– Monday lunchtimes: the Debate Club in RE2 at 1.35 – 2.00
– For Year 8:Â SVP B-attitude (faith and social action programme)
This image captures well our vision for Religious Studies at Bishop Challoner; as we invite our students to ‘Come and See’ what religious beliefs and practices contain.
