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RPE

Introduction

The principle aim of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics is to explore what people believe and what difference this makes to how they live, so that pupils can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to handle questions raised by religion and belief, reflecting their own ideas and ways of living.

RPE at Church Stretton School is based on the Shropshire Locally Agreed Syllabus. Our curriculum emphasises personal development of pupils and helping them to gain their own worldviews. The curriculum offers opportunities to explore some of the big questions addressed by religious traditions and non-religious philosophical convictions. Through their encounters with the responses of these traditions to big questions, pupils will learn that having a good and meaningful life and being a good person are achievable by anyone, regardless of whether they are religious or not. RPE also makes a significant contribution to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, as well as giving opportunities to explore British values.

Web Links

General RPE & World Religions

 

 

Philosophy & Ethics for Students

 

 

 

Extension & Enrichment

KS3

Introduction

Year 7

Year 7 begins with an exploration of students’ own views on religion and the diversity of beliefs around the world. They consider whether religion causes peace or conflict, and examine both its positive and negative impacts. Through regular Philosophy for Children (P4C) sessions, students develop confidence in questioning and dialogue. They then study the Story of Christianity through a historical, theological, and symbolic lens—exploring it on a cosmic scale, from the Tree in Eden to the Tree of the Cross. As part of this, students examine the historical figure of Jesus of Nazareth (Yeshua Bar Yosef) in his 1st-century Jewish context, exploring how his life, teachings, and legacy shaped the Christian tradition. This is followed by the Story of Islam, in which students explore how the religion emerged from 7th-century Arabia, focusing on the life of the Prophet Muhammad Ibn-Abdullah, and how his message responded to the hardships, tribal divisions, and spiritual disillusionment of his time, offering a path of justice, unity, and submission to God.

Year 8

In Year 8, students begin with the Story of Judaism, tracing its origins in the ancient Mesopotamian world and the gradual shift from polytheism to monotheism. They explore the development of Judaism through key covenants, focusing on the lives of Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah, and reflect on how these figures shaped Jewish identity, law, and belief. Students also examine Jewish family life, ritual practice, and the ongoing role of Jewish law (Halakhah) in the modern world, emphasising Judaism as a living tradition. In the Religious Sources unit, students investigate how different religions pass on sacred knowledge—through oral traditions, written texts, and historical artefacts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as the lives of saints and sages. Finally, students study the Story of Buddhism, exploring the historical life of Siddhartha Gautama, the nature of Enlightenment, and the path to Nirvana as a response to suffering. Throughout the year, Philosophy for Children (P4C) is woven into lessons to foster thoughtful dialogue, ethical questioning, and reflective reasoning across all topics.

Year 9

In Year 9, students begin with a study of Ethics, exploring real-world issues through the perspectives of key thinkers. They examine the Sanctity of Life with C.S. Lewis, the Death Penalty through the lens of Pope Francis, Animal Testing with reference to Peter Singer, and consider the role of religion in reconciliation through the Good Friday Agreement. In the second half of the year, students delve into Philosophy, studying figures such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Pyrrho, Marcus Aurelius, and Karl Marx, engaging with ideas like the Cave Analogy, simulation theory, Natural Law, and Marx’s claim that religion is the “opium of the people.” Throughout the year, lessons are grounded in regular Philosophy for Children (P4C) discussion, encouraging students to think critically, debate respectfully, and develop their own reasoned viewpoints.

KS4

Introduction

EDUQAS Exam Board

Paper 1: Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World

Candidates will study the following four themes. All questions are compulsory.

  • Theme 1:Issues of Relationships
  • Theme 2:Issues of Life and Death
  • Theme 3:Issues of Good and Evil
  • Theme 4:Issues of Human Rights

Paper 2: Study of Christianity

Candidates will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity.

Paper 3: Study of a World Faith

Candidates will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Judaism

How to support your child

We are sure that you already do many of these things to support your child but here is a useful reminder for you to refer to:

  • Encourage wider reading
  • Ask them what they have learnt today
  • Help them to structure revision for tests and assessments
  • Make good use of BBC Bitesize
  • Use revision guides to complete practice papers
  • Ensure homework is complete to the deadline