Religious Studies Curriculum Overview
Curriculum Intent
At Chingford Foundation School, our Religious Studies curriculum encourages students to explore some of the most important questions facing humanity: What do people believe? Why do they believe it? How do beliefs shape behaviour? What does it mean to live a good life.
RS provides a rigorous and balanced education that helps students understand a wide range of religious and non-religious worldviews, preparing them to live in a diverse and interconnected society. Religious Studies encourages pupils to think critically, engage respectfully with different beliefs and values, and develop their own reasoned viewpoints.
The R.S. curriculum intent;
- To develop pupil knowledge and understanding of religious and non-religious beliefs and practices.
- To provide pupils with opportunities to explore some key philosophical and moral issues and reflect on their own beliefs and values.
- To promote and encourage the British values of tolerance and respect.
The curriculum reflects our four school pillars:
- Knowledge – Students gain a deep understanding of beliefs, practices, philosophy and ethics across major religions and worldviews.
- Independence – Students are encouraged to reflect on their own values, question assumptions and develop informed opinions.
- Empowerment – RS helps students understand both themselves and others, building empathy, confidence and moral awareness.
- Inclusion – The curriculum promotes tolerance, respect and equality, ensuring all students feel valued and represented.
Our aim is to produce thoughtful, reflective young people capable of contributing positively to a diverse, modern society.
Key Stage 3 ( Years 7-9)
At KS3, students build a strong foundation of religious literacy, philosophical enquiry and moral reasoning. They study a range of religions and worldviews, exploring both beliefs and practices as well as wider ethical questions.
Year 7
- Introduction to Religion – What religion is, why it matters and key principles across belief systems.
- Hinduism – Key beliefs, worship and views on God.
- Sikhism – Beliefs, worship, equality and service (Sewa).
- Belief in God – Arguments for and against God’s existence.
Year 8
- Judaism – Beliefs, practices and links to the Exodus story.
- Jesus – His life, teachings, crucifixion and importance to Christians.
- Islam – Key beliefs, the Five Pillars and the importance of submission to Allah.
- Worldviews – Humanism, Baha’i and alternative belief systems.
- Spirited Arts Project – Exploring RS themes through creative expression.
Year 9
- Life After Death – Exploring a range of religious and non-religious perspectives.
- Why Do We Suffer? – Religious and philosophical explanations for evil and suffering.
- Does Religion Help People Be Good? – Moral principles and ethical behaviour in different traditions.
- Christian Beliefs – God, Jesus, sin, salvation and the Trinity.
- Christian Practices (full-course only) – Worship, sacraments, prayer and festival
By the end of KS3, students can explain some differences between religions, analyse beliefs critically, and give reasoned arguments on philosophical and ethical questions.
Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11 – AQA GCSE R.S.)
Students study AQA GCSE RS, focusing on Christianity and either Buddhism or Islam, depending on whether they are completing the full course or short course.
Year 10
- Relationships (short and full course) – Marriage, families, divorce, gender and sexuality through Christian & Buddhist/Islamic perspectives.
- Buddhist Beliefs (short course) – Four Noble Truths, enlightenment, rebirth, the life of the Buddha.
- Islamic Beliefs and Practices (full course) – Tawhid, Angels, Prophet Muhammad, Five Pillars, Jihad.
- Religion and Life (full course) – Abortion, euthanasia, animal testing, the environment, stewardship and creation through Christian & Islamic perspectives.
Year 11
- Religion and Conflict (short and full course) – War, peace, forgiveness, terrorism and pacifism through Christian & Buddhist/Islamic perspectives.
- Religion and Crime (full course) – Crime, punishment, law, forgiveness and capital punishment through Christian & Islamic perspectives.
Students learn to write clear, evaluative arguments, use religious teachings to support their views and understand ethical and philosophical debates.
Key Stage 5 (A Level Religious Studies - AQA)
At A Level, students explore religion, philosophy and ethics in depth through three strands:
Philosophy
- Arguments for God’s existence
- Religious experience
- Problem of evil
- Religious language
- Miracles
- Life after death
Ethics
- Normative ethical theories (including Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, Natural Law)
- Applied ethics (euthanasia, business, sexuality)
- Free will, conscience and meta-ethics
Christianity
- Sources of authority
- Views of God
- Life after death
- Good moral conduct
- Science and religion
- Gender and sexuality
- Secularisation and pluralism
A Level RS develops analytical, evaluative and essay-writing skills highly valued by universities and employers.
Links to Other Areas of the Curriculum
RS connects meaningfully with:
- History (beliefs over time, conflict, culture)
- PSHE (relationships, wellbeing, equality)
- Sociology (beliefs, identity, social influence)
- English (argument, evaluation and critical writing)
- Geography (global cultures and worldviews)
R.S also supports personal development, safeguarding, British Values and SMSC ( spiritual, moral, social, cultural education).
