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Religious Studies At Key Stage Three
Pupils study elements of the different World Religions at KS3. Often work is thematic, as for example in the study of beliefs. Pupils look at the main Christian teaching about God the Trinity and about the person of Jesus as well as beliefs in life after death. This is followed by a parallel examination of beliefs in Judaism and Hinduism. A module on Religion in the Home focuses on the different activities that make religion a part of everyday life for adherents of different faiths. This begins with a look at Christian practices, for example prayer and Bible reading at home and family commitment to social and charity involvement. In the process of looking at Judaism in the home pupils investiage Jewish food laws, learning about the laws and the way they are followed and also thinking about the value of community activity as a source of strength and unity. In this way topics are opened out for thought and discussion that is often much broader than the religious context with which the study began. In Year 9 of KS3, a more detailed study of scripture is undertaken with the main focus on the Bible. This begins with an exploration of the different types of knowledge available to people and also of the different ways of gaining knowledge. This philosophical approach is stimulating for pupils and enables them to make a more reasoned response to questions about the truth of the Bible and the value of the Bible for today. Pupils look at the structure and writing of the Bible and then at the Gospels, considering some key elements of the message of the Gospels, in particular the idea that Jesus is Good News. As part of this the whole idea of forgiveness is explored and its implications thought through. In addition, pupils are asked to think about how the idea of Jesus as Good News might be applied to people who are poor or dispossessed. |
