1. We believe R.S provides an opportunity for you to: o Understand key religious beliefs o Develop a level of respect towards different beliefs and cultures o Articulate your beliefs and opinions o Explore the big questions To allow this to happen, your R.S teachers will create opportunities for: o Independent and co-operative learning o A variety of lesson activities o Discussion, debate and personal reflection o Celebrating pupil achievement through various rewards systems o Developing positive relationships between staff and pupils The Chingford R.S Department

2. Year 7 You will have ONE R.S lesson a week and in this year you will learn about... An introduction to Religion: What are the ‘big’ questions of RS? What is real? Jesus: Who was he? What did he do? Why is he so important to believers? Principles for life: What are some of the fundamental religious beliefs and rules?

3. Year 8 You will have ONE R.S lesson a week and in this year you will learn about... Buddhism: How did Buddhism start and what does Buddhism teach about suffering? The Sermon on the Mount: What did Jesus teach about issues like revenge and how to treat others? Monotheistic faiths: Christianity, Islam and Judaism... What is similar/ different about these religions?

4. Year 9 R.S is compulsory and everyone will have ONE lesson a week, you start learning the GCSE course this year. Topics you will learn about are: Our World: How was the world made? Why are we here? Relationships: What do religions teach about marriage? Divorce? Same sex couples? God, Life & Death: Is there a God and if so what is God like? What happens to us after we die?

5. Year 10 R.S is compulsory and everyone will have ONE lesson a week. Topics you will learn about are: Is it fair: What do religions teach about prejudice and discrimination? Equality? Religious Expression: In what ways do religious believers express their faith? Suffering: Why do we suffer? Does suffering make it harder to believe in God?

6. Year 11 R.S is compulsory and everyone will have ONE lesson a week. Topics you will learn about are: Religion and Conflict: What does religion say about War? Peace? Forgiveness? Religion and Medicine: Does religion and belief in God make it harder/ easier to make decisions about issues like abortion and euthanasia? Religion and State: What is the purpose of punishment? Is capital punishment right?

7. A Level You will have FIVE lessons a week and study many Religious, Ethical and Philosophical issues, such as:  The problem of evil  Arguments for the existence of God  Kant’s ethical system for how we should act  Is religion something that stems from the mind?  Religious experiences