Ethics and Morality

KS3 Ethics and Morality

Intent

Our aim is to provide a curriculum which is engaging, coherent, challenging and inclusive of all learners. Ethics and Morality enables students to engage critically with significant ethical, philosophical and social issues in order to understand the world we live in more fully.

Students will learn about a wide range of religious beliefs and practices, including non-religious world views. They do this for the development of their knowledge, for their capacity to flourish in our diverse society, and for their growing understanding of their own identity and outlook. Learners are encouraged to develop their own considered opinion, to articulate their views, and to engage in productive dialogue and debate with others.

Our curriculum enables students to understand how religious identity influences people’s lives and learners will be encouraged to express their own considered opinions about the nature and value of religion on people and the planet.

Students will develop the skills of listening, speaking and discussing, as well as those of enquiry, analysis and evaluation.

Our KS3 curriculum is ambitious and matches the breadth of study detailed in the Agreed Syllabus for RE.

Curriculum sequence

Year 7

What is Ethics and Morality? (including religious discrimination)

Festivals

Should we give aid?

Buddhism

Religion in the Media

Rites of passage

Year 8

New Religious movements

Is God a Scientist?

Crime and Punishment

Sources of Authority

Sikhism

Medical Ethics

Each unit is approximately 6 weeks in length.

Meeting the needs of SEND and disadvantaged students

In line with whole-school priorities, Ethics and Morality teachers place SEND and Pupil premium students at the core of our lesson planning. Key to ensuring this is consistent high quality teaching and challenge for all.

Particular strategies used for SEND and Pupil Premium students are:

  • Regular checking of understanding in lessons through targeted questioning
  • Regular bespoke feedback verbally and in books
  • Providing students with key word sheets
  • Retrieval opportunities particularly in starter tasks
  • Writing frames are provided to assist students with longer evaluative answers
  • Seating plans are regularly reviewed to ensure learners are placed in the most optimum position for them in the classroom

Retention

Our curriculum is taught to be remembered. Retrieval practice is embedded into lessons, students regularly complete retrieval grids and quizzing.

Homework

One piece per fortnight or a large piece of homework to replace this over a unit.

Assessment

Students are assessed using formal assessments for every topic area. They will receive feedback through the CAR system. Students then improve their work as part of a feedback lesson.

Contact:

Mrs G Hawthorne

ghawthorne@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk

 

Mrs A Scanlan

ascanlan@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk

 

GCSE Religious Studies

This exciting course challenges students with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues.  Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to work with abstract ideas. These skills will help them prepare for future study.

Students will be challenged with questions such as:

  • Is there a God?
  • Can God exist if there is so much evil and suffering in the world?
  • Why do Muslims pray five times a day?
  • Can euthanasia ever be justified?
  • Should we use the death penalty for some crimes?
  • Should charity begin at home?

The course is split into two components both assessed in Year 11.

Component 1: The study of religions, beliefs, teachings and practices

Students will learn about the beliefs, teachings and practices from Christianity and Islam.

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

50% of GCSE

 

Component 2: Thematic Studies

Students will study four religious, philosophical and ethical themes.

Theme A: Relationships and families

Theme B: Religion and Life

Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment

Theme F: Religion, human rights and social justice

Written Exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

50% of GCSE

 

Assessment and Progression

Examination Board:  

AQA

Grading system:

1-9 (9 is highest)

Assessment:

2 final examinations

Paper 1 - The study of religion, beliefs, teachings and practices

1 hour 45 min exam

50% of GCSE

 

Paper 2 –Thematic Studies

1 hour 45 min exam

50% of GCSE

Exam questions are a mix of multiple-choice, short and long answers.

 

Progression to Post-16:

A-Level Religious Studies or Philosophy. Also useful for English and Sociology.

 

Future career links:

Any career involving working with people.

 

Contact:

Mrs Hawthorne

ghawthorne@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk

Mrs Scanlan

ascanlan@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk

 

 

 

Back to Top