Higham Lane School
Religions and Worldviews
Modern Ethics FAQs
What religions will I study in Religions and Worldview's?
At key stage 3 you will discuss aspects of all the world religions such as looking at how the Sikh Gurus fought for equality, how Buddhists respond to suffering and what Hindus believe happens when we die. You will also get the opportunity to discuss your own beliefs and learn to appreciate the worldviews of others.
At Key Stage 4 you will conduct an in-depth study of Christianity and Islam covering the main beliefs and practices of these religions. You will investigate the diversity of opinion that come from the same religion and explore the influence sacred texts can hold on people’s lives.
What does a typical lesson like?
There is no typical lesson with us! No two lessons are the same. What we can promise you is that you will be supported, informed and challenged. We love to discuss current events, debate controversial issues and reflect on what is important to us.
Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Curriculum
At Key Stage 3, students explore a diverse range of religious and non-religious worldviews, developing an understanding of how different people make sense of the world and respond to life's biggest questions.
Year 7 follows a hybrid systematic and thematic approach to Religion and Worldviews. Students investigate questions of meaning, purpose and human identity through the perspectives of the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, alongside the three Dharmic faiths, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism. As the year progresses, students examine how significant individuals from a range of religious, social and cultural backgrounds have interpreted and put these teachings into practice, exploring the relationship between belief, identity and action.
In Year 8, students take a more thematic approach, exploring a range of philosophical and ethical questions through the lenses of Abrahamic and Dharmic traditions, as well as Humanist and atheistic worldviews. Students compare different responses to moral and philosophical issues, considering both similarities and differences between perspectives.
The overarching aims of Key Stage 3 are to help students understand that everyone has a worldview, to explore how different worldviews respond to common human questions, and to develop the critical thinking, empathy and evaluative skills needed for success in further study and modern society. Key Stage 3 also introduces the core concepts and knowledge that underpin GCSE Religious Studies.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4, students follow the AQA GCSE Religious Studies Route A specification.
In Year 9, students begin with a systematic study of Christianity, exploring its key beliefs and practices, alongside a thematic study of Crime and Punishment (Theme E), examining religious and non-religious perspectives on justice, forgiveness, punishment and rehabilitation.
In Year 10, students undertake a systematic study of Islam, investigating its core beliefs and practices, while also studying Peace and Conflict (Theme D), which explores religious responses to war, violence, reconciliation and the promotion of peace.
In Year 11, students complete the GCSE course through two thematic units: Relationships and Families (Theme A) and Religion and Life (Theme B). These units enable students to consider a variety of religious and non-religious perspectives on issues including family life, relationships, the origins and value of human life, environmental responsibility, and matters of life and death.
Throughout the course, students are encouraged to think critically, engage thoughtfully with diverse viewpoints and develop a deeper understanding of the beliefs and values that shape individuals and societies across the world.
M Dettmer, Subject Leader for Religion and Worldviews
For further details on this subject, please feel free to email us contactus@highamlaneschool.co.uk
