Religious Studies aims to address some of the most fundamental questions of human existence.

Whatever we may think of religion, it is undeniable that it has, and has had, a huge impact on societies around the world, including our own.  Millions of people today claim to have some sort of faith in God or an afterlife and millions are certain that these things do not exist.  In Religious Studies at Longbenton Community College we aim to use critical thinking, debate and reflective study to help students address fundamental issues such as this.  Our lessons are designed to encourage students to be inquisitive, independent thinkers with a thirst for knowledge about the meaning of life and their place in the world.  We also aim to help students to live fruitfully in a multi-cultural society.  We also hope to equip students with tools which will help them to make responsible moral choices in their lives.

Key Stage 3 Religious Studies

  • Students receive one lesson a week.
  • The course begins with a series of lessons on the nature of belief and lessons which encourage students to think critically.
  • Students then complete a programme of study based on the six most popular world religions across Years 7 to 9, along with units on secular humanism and other atheist worldviews.  Students also study suffering and ‘the problem of evil’.
  • Students are assessed by half-termly assessments.

Key Stage 4 Religious Studies and Religious and Social Development

  • Students can opt to take GCSE Religious Studies which is comprised of six units across Years 10 and 11 (AQA Specification A):
    • Christianity: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices
    • Buddhism: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices
    • Relationships and Families
    • Religion and Life
    • Religion, Peace and Conflict
    • Religion, Crime and Punishment

 

  • All students have to take ‘Core RE’ (called ‘Religious and Social Development’) in KS4. They receive one lesson per week.  In core RE, students study topics including:
    • Truth, opinion, belief and critical thinking
    • Abortion
    • Euthanasia
    • Capital punishment
    • Human rights
    • Medical ethics
    • Animal rights
  • Students also receive their personal and social education through RSD lessons, including their drugs, alcohol, sex, careers and finance lessons.
  • Students’ work experience is arranged through RSD lessons.