EPR
Vision
At Birchwood we want students, to develop an appreciation of the wide range of beliefs and values that encompass the world. We encourage our students, to develop their own world view while being respectful and knowledgeable about views different to their own recognising that we live in an increasingly secular yet pluralist society.
Religion continues to play a key role in the world today. It continues to play a key role in the world today, it influences events around the world in a variety of ways. It impacts the lives of everyone, whether they are a follower of a particular faith or hold no religious beliefs. At Birchwood we aim to develop pupils’ religious literacy and the ability to understand and engage effectively with religious, philosophical and ethical issues.
The role of Religious Studies is not to promote a particular world faith or advocate a particular view of religion, nor should it advocate for religion to have a greater role in Britain today. The purpose of Religious Studies is to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills required to understand religion, engage in meaningful discussions about religion and critically evaluate the role, purpose and influence of religion both in the UK and the wider world.
We want our students, to appreciate the importance of ethics and moral decision making and to consider how religious and non religious attitudes impact on these.
How do we build on what students, learn at KS2?
We want to ensure that our students, are thoroughly supported in their transition from KS2 to KS3 EPR. In order to do this, we work with local primary schools so that our curriculums complement one another. In year 7, we purposely prioritise revisiting and rebuilding on the following:
- Comparative religions pulls together many of the different strands of RS that students, will have experienced in primary schools.
- Concepts of worship, prayer, authority and morality
- Christianity, the life and teachings of Jesus.
- Christian ideas about God
What we cover at KS3 and beyond?
In Key Stage 3 students, have the opportunity to investigate religions and beliefs in depth. These include Christianity recognising it as the dominant faith in the UK in addition to Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism. Students also investigate a range of ethical and philosophical concepts such as immortality, miracles, the sanctity of life and the problem of evil.
Y7
- Comparative Religion
- Judaism
- Christianity
Y8
- Hinduism
- Christianity
- Islam
Y9
- Philosophy and humanism
- Ethics
- Sikhism
At KS4 students, cover the Eduqas Route A syllabus covering 3 main areas.
- Ethics and Philosophy around 4 themes;
- Issues of Relationships
- Issues of Life and Death
- Issues of Good and Evil
- Issues of Human Rights
- Christianity beliefs and practices
- Sikhism beliefs and practices
Beyond the curriculum, we provide:
- A regular LGBT+ discussion group offering a range of discussion topics of issues of inclusion, diversity and human rights.
- Pride assembly for Pride month
What do we cover in KS4 and how do we aspire towards KS5?
We want to ensure that our students, are ready for life beyond KS4. As part of this preparation, we dedicate time to nurturing an interest in EPR beyond their time at school:
- Regular discussion in lessons about current issues around the world such as abortion rights in the US.
- Discussions with students, about A further A level studies and the kinds of courses available.
- Highlighting topics we study at KS3/4 which often are developed at A Level such as ethical systems e.g Natural Law, Arguments for the existence of God, the relationships between science and religion.
