The right to withdraw from RE:

Religion and belief have become more visible in public life in recent years, making it important that all young people should have an opportunity to engage in RE. However, parents/carers may request that their child be excused from all or part of the religious education (RE) provided. No reasons need be given.

Overview

Religious Education is an important part of every learner’s education at Upper Batley High School. Our curriculum follows the Believing and Belonging in West Yorkshire Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education 2024–2029, which is used across Kirklees, Calderdale, Bradford and Leeds.

Our RE curriculum is broad and balanced. Learners do more than remember facts about religions. They explore how people’s beliefs, cultures, identities and experiences shape the way they understand the world and live their lives.

Learners study a range of religious and non-religious worldviews, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism and Humanism. They learn that there can be a wide range of beliefs and practices within the same religion.

RE helps learners to:

· understand the diverse community and society in which they live

· ask important questions about life, belief and morality

· compare different points of view

· use evidence to support their ideas;

· listen respectfully to people with different beliefs;

· challenge stereotypes and misunderstandings;

· develop confidence in speaking and writing.

The curriculum supports learners’ wider personal development by encouraging curiosity, empathy and respect. It helps them think carefully about their own values while understanding that other people may see the world differently.

The curriculum journey

Our curriculum is carefully planned so that knowledge and skills build from Year 7 to Year 11. Learners begin by understanding what religions and worldviews are. They then explore how beliefs affect people’s lives before applying their knowledge to increasingly challenging questions and modern issues.

Year 7: Understanding religion and worldviews

Year 7 introduces learners to the meaning of religion and worldviews. A worldview is the way a person understands life and the world around them. It may be shaped by religion, culture, family, personal experiences or non-religious beliefs.

Learners explore the different ways Christians worship and celebrate important festivals. They study key Buddhist teachings and discover how Buddhism is expressed differently across cultures and traditions. They also learn about Humanism and consider how Humanists find meaning and make moral decisions without believing in a god.

By the end of Year 7, learners understand that people do not all experience or practise a religion in exactly the same way.

Year 8: Belief, belonging and living a good life

In Year 8, learners explore how beliefs can influence people’s choices, behaviour and treatment of others.

They study Hindu beliefs about God, religious duty and life after death. They then explore how Islamic beliefs and practices guide Muslims towards living a good life, while recognising the diversity found within Islam.

Learners compare Jewish and Sikh teachings about charity, service and responsibility. They also investigate the relationship between religion and equality, including how religious attitudes and British society have changed over time.

By the end of Year 8, learners understand how beliefs can influence individuals, religious communities and wider society.

Year 9: Philosophy, ethics and modern issues

In Year 9, learners use their knowledge to explore more challenging philosophical and ethical questions.

They compare Christian, Buddhist and Humanist responses to evil and suffering. They investigate spiritual experiences and consider how these experiences may change people’s lives.

Learners also explore human rights and consider how people decide what is right or wrong. They apply religious and non-religious ideas to debates about the value of human life, euthanasia, assisted dying and the treatment of animals.

By the end of Key Stage 3, learners can explain different viewpoints, examine evidence and reach balanced conclusions.

Key Stage 4: AQA GCSE Religious Studies Short Course

All learners study the AQA GCSE Religious Studies Route A Short Course during Years 10 and 11. The course builds on the knowledge and skills developed at Key Stage 3.

Learners study the beliefs and teachings of Christianity and Islam in greater depth. This includes beliefs about God, creation, Jesus, prophethood, holy books, life after death, suffering and salvation.

They then apply this knowledge to two themes:

· Relationships and Families, including marriage, family life, relationships, divorce, gender equality and human sexuality.

· Religion, Peace and Conflict, including forgiveness, reconciliation, violence, terrorism, reasons for war, pacifism and peace-making.

Learners consider Christian, Muslim and non-religious perspectives. They are encouraged to explain different viewpoints accurately before reaching their own justified conclusions.

GCSE Religious Studies develops valuable skills in reading, communication, analysis, evaluation and debating. These skills are useful in further education and in careers that involve working with people, solving problems and making careful decisions.

Key Stage 4: Optional AQA GCSE Religious Studies Full Course

Learners can also choose AQA GCSE Religious Studies Full Course as an option in Years 10 and 11. This offers the opportunity to explore religious beliefs, practices and ethical issues in greater depth.

Learners study Christian and Muslim beliefs and practices, exploring how faith influences worship, daily life and involvement in religious communities.

They apply their knowledge to four themes:

· Relationships and Families, including marriage, family life, divorce, gender equality and human sexuality.

· Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice, including equality, discrimination, religious freedom, wealth and poverty.

· Religion, Crime and Punishment, including reasons for crime, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty.

· Religion, Peace and Conflict, including violence, terrorism, reasons for war, pacifism and peace-making.

Throughout the course, learners consider Christian, Muslim and non-religious perspectives. They develop their ability to explain different viewpoints, evaluate arguments and reach justified conclusions about important issues in modern society.