Religion, Philosophy & Ethics

We aim to enable learners to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to engage in debate and discussion about life in a modern pluralistic society, with religious and non-religious world views.

Students should be able to hold well-informed, far-reaching discussions in the classroom, as well as respectful conversations with anyone they encounter outside of school, on key beliefs in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. They should approach different ethical positions with an open mind, empathising with different perspectives and displaying the flexibility to argue all sides of an argument, recognising that the opinion they feel most comfortable with, may not be the most popular. 

They will consider the impact of cultural norms on decision-making and belief, and recognise that there is not one ‘right’ way of understanding the world. Learners will develop analytical and evaluative skills so that they can interrogate conclusions reached by ancient and contemporary thinkers. 

Learners begin Year 7 with an introduction to philosophy of religion, developing their understanding of the role it has played in our thoughts about human nature and the nature of the universe; and investigating how Abahamic religions coexist in modern day Israel. Building on this in Year 8, they will consider ethical questions about the nature of morality and what it means to be good, followed by an in depth look at Christianity and Islam, and finally consider the role religion plays in helping those in need. 

In Year 9, students take a philosophical look at happiness, whether it can be measured and whether its pursuit can be said to lead to a good life. They will then study two dharmic religions: Hinduism and Buddhism, and finish Key Stage 3 with discussions on the impact of religion on our outlook on controversial topics. 

At GCSE, students will deepen their knowledge of Islam and Christianity from their historical context; consider similarities and differences between their beliefs, teachings and practices; and understand the impact they have on the lives of Muslims and Christians today.  Towards the end of the course, students tackle ‘Religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world,’ enabling them to consider their views on topical moral issues alongside those from Christian and non-religious perspectives. At A Level, students delve yet deeper into philosophy of religion, religion and ethics, and development in Christian thought.

The ability to understand and explore different worldviews is incredibly important in today’s society, both culturally and economically, as we continue to operate on an increasingly globalised scale. Academically, it is a strong base for discussion, debate and analytical subjects such as Philosophy, Politics and of course Theology.