Year 7

In the Autumn term, students will start by exploring the idea of belief in communities and the value of religious education, through religion in the community, the UK and around the world. This includes an introductory study of the structure of Dharmic and Abrahamic religions.  Moving on, students will consider the impact of change on mental health and how to manage change. This then leads them to learn and understand physical changes in puberty, and how hormonal changes affect emotion and how they can manage this.  

In the Spring term learning will be centred on Christian and Buddhist beliefs and practices. Students will, within Christianity will explore the influence the religion has had on British life and culture. In the summer term students will cover a range of topics, such as human rights, personal safety and Crime and the law.  

In the Summer term, students will explore at the lives and influences of inspirational people.  They will then look at issues of relationships and personal safety, including online safety.   Finally, they will be taking part in the Spirited Art Competition led by the National Association of Teachers of RE. The focus for the Competition is ‘there is more that unites us than divides us’ as a reference to the MP Jo Cox.  Students will therefore be introduced to the issue of extremism. 

Year 8

In the Autumn term, students will student the beliefs, practices, and Equality in Sikhism. They will then deepen their knowledge of Christianity with an in-depth study of Jesus.  Finally, students will look at religious rituals of initiation into adulthood and how body image can affect your personal identity as you grow.  

In the Spring term students are introduced to belief and practice in Islam, as well as what it means to be a British Muslim. This includes core Muslim beliefs and practices, as well looking issues of social justice, equality, and fairness from an Islamic perspective.  An investigation in the role of Zakat (the obligation of charitable giving) and Muslim attitudes to money, will then move students on to financial products and services, as part of their citizenship education.  Within this, students will also look at various religious attitudes to money and ethical banking choices.   

 In the Summer term, students will then cover aspects of relationships and personal safety, including developing an understanding of grooming in the context of CSE and CCE. With respect and tolerance key to their personal development, there is a sensitive exploration of issues around personal identity, including an understanding of LGBTQ identities. Students will look at the law, moral and religious perspectives, gaining an understanding of both.  Finally, they will be taking part in the Spirited Art Competition led by the National Association of Teachers of RE. The focus for the Competition is ‘there is more that unites us than divides us’ as a reference to the MP Jo Cox.  Students will therefore be introduced to the issue of extremism. 

Year 9

In the Autumn term, students will explore issues of Social Justice with a focus on the right to marry and family life. As well as this they will look at the role of men and women in Christianity and Islam, and cover topics such as forced marriage and honour-based violence. Students will then move onto looking at religious and personal commitments, including committed and healthy relationships and the right to delay sex. They will then spend some time looking into the causes of extremism and how society can challenge extremist ideologies.  Different types of extremism will be recognized, with a more detailed exploration of online misogynist cultures, such as Incel. 

 In the Spring term students cover a range of topics under the umbrella of Matters of life and Death. This includes debates on when life begins, contraception (including religious attitudes to contraception), abortion and euthanasia. Students will also sensitively be guided through an understanding of death and bereavement. This will help them understand the natural processes of grief and religious beliefs about death.  

In the Summer term students will be looking at the moral and ethical issues around the treatment of animals and Global issues linked to social justice.? 

Year 10

In the Autumn term, Year 10 begins with an understanding of the law through the Crime and Punishment module. This includes the treatment of young offenders and the moral and ethical issues around capital punishment. Following on from this, students consider the importance and value of their own bodies look at the impact drugs can have on the body.  This is explored through assessing religious and moral responses to the use of legal and illegal drugs.    

In the Spring term, students will begin by looking at Human Rights and religious issues, including when human rights are violated on the grounds of religious intolerance and the problems that arise when religious beliefs clash with the principles of rights as laid out in the UDHR.  This then leads into exploration of different types of prejudice and discrimination, referencing groups with protested characteristics as in the Equality Act. 

In the Summer term, students will then cover their Relationship and Sex Education, which allows young people to understand how they can form healthy relationships.   Students will be given appropriate information that will allow them to make informed decisions; keeping themselves and others safe.  Finally, they will explore what it means to live in the UK in relation to our political rights and freedoms. Students will also consider what it means to be British and the influence of other cultures over time that have helped mold British life. 

Year 11

In the Autmn term, Year 11 begin with an exploration of morality and moral reasoning, This will include what influences human reasoning of right and wrong and different moral theories.  Students complete the Autumn term by looking at the causes of War, and different religious and moral a perspective. This will include Holy War and Jihad.  

In the Spring term students will also look at the relationship between the media and politics, with discuss on things such as fake news, the principles of a free press and censorship. They will then cover several social issues that have increased in the early 21st century that affect the lives of people and directly impact on the wellbeing of young people as they travel towards adulthood.  This will support students in understanding how to manage their own money and understand finance in relation to debt, wages and payslips.  

In the Summer term, Year 11 students will continue to look at issues around independent living as well employment rights.   After this they will be supported in independent revision. 

If you would like any more information about our RCS curriculum, please contact Mrs D Bielby, Head of RCS and Personal Development, by emailing dbielby@colneprimet.co.uk, filling in the form on our contact us page or phoning the main office to arrange a call back.