Beliefs & Cultures
Year 7
How Do I and Others Feel About Life and the Universe Around Us?
In this unit pupils investigate how some religious believers discover the existence of God through awe, wonder and suffering. Using a variety of written and visual sources they learn about and understand the ways in which Jews and Christians claim God is an important part of their lives. The unit provides opportunities for pupils to examine and reflect on the nature of experiential proof of God's existence. They are encouraged to undertake their own search for answers to ultimate questions and the issue of suffering using a variety of media. Pupils evaluate the importance and relevance of God for believers and non-believers and the answers religion attempts to provide and consider questions about their own belief system.
Why are These Words and Times Special?
In this unit pupils learn about the importance of sacred texts in religion. Using a variety of written sources, they learn and understand some of the ways in which sacred texts are used by Jews and Christians. The unit offers opportunities to examine and reflect on rules & guidance in life based on these texts linked to special events and times in a believer's life. For example in Judaism; Brit Milah and marriage and in Christianity; key festivals. Pupils encounter the teaching of Christianity and Judaism and develop their understanding of how they have developed, how they are used and why they are so important within a faith community.
Year 8
Why Are Some Places Special?
In this unit pupils examine some issues within and between Christian and Muslim religions. These issues are brought into focus by learning about the places, which are special to these two religions (primarily in the Middle East). Pupils develop their understanding of how religious beliefs are worked out in practice and study ideas about journey and community.
Why Do People Behave As They Do? What Can We Learn From Key Leaders and Founders?
In this unit pupils examine some issues within Christianity and Islam in relation to how members of the faith behave and what inspires, directs and guides them to follow a certain path or teaching.
Year 9
Why Are There Places Of Worship?
In this unit pupils find out about the role of places of worship in a religious community. Pupils will develop their understanding of how religious beliefs are practiced through studying the features of a place of worship and the activities, including worship, that take place inside it. Pupils become aware of the diversity within the religion by comparing text book and virtual tour examples of places worship being explored in the classroom. They evaluate the importance of a place of worship to believers today. They learn about the significance of the place of worship for the faith community and local people.
Where and How Do People Show Their Faith?
In this unit pupils find out how different people express their faith within a religious community. Pupils will develop their understanding of how religious beliefs are expressed by explaining and interpreting the experiences individuals have in their spiritual life. Pupils become aware more aware of their own spiritual insights through their learning in the lesson. . They evaluate the importance of faith in today's world and its significance both locally and globally.