Religious Education

Religious Education in Years 5 and 6

At Excelsior Academy Foundations, Religious Education in Years 5 and 6 follows statutory requirements and the Newcastle Council agreed syllabus, enabling pupils to explore a rich range of religious and non-religious worldviews. Through RE, pupils develop knowledge, understanding and respect while reflecting on important questions about belief, values, identity, belonging, meaning, purpose and truth.

Our curriculum is organised around thought-provoking enquiry questions. In Year 5, pupils consider why people sometimes have to stand up for what they believe in, exploring religious freedom, discrimination and protected characteristics. They investigate why Christianity can look different around the world and consider how culture, history and tradition influence the ways beliefs are understood and expressed.

Pupils also explore different perspectives on significant questions such as what happens when we die. Through Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Humanist perspectives, they consider ideas about the afterlife and how beliefs can influence traditions, choices and ways of living. Pupils also explore leadership and authority, asking who should be in charge and considering how communities choose and respond to their leaders.

In Year 6, pupils deepen their understanding of diversity within and between worldviews. They examine why religion can look different around the world and how religious practices can be influenced by culture, geography, history and tradition.

Pupils investigate pilgrimage and significant places, exploring why particular locations and buildings are important to individuals and communities and why experiencing a place in person can have special meaning. They encounter challenging philosophical questions such as why suffering exists, comparing religious and non-religious responses and considering how beliefs might influence people's actions in difficult circumstances.

The curriculum culminates by asking pupils to consider what place religion has in our world today. Pupils explore religious and secular perspectives, diversity, human rights and whether teachings and writings from the past remain relevant to contemporary life.

Throughout Years 5 and 6, pupils make connections between beliefs, celebrations, worship, sacred places, sources of wisdom, communities and ways of living. They consider similarities and differences between worldviews and explore important ideas relating to equality, justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence.

Alongside developing substantive knowledge, pupils learn how to debate and discuss respectfully, analyse sources of authority, artefacts and images, evaluate first-hand experiences and consider different perspectives. Importantly, pupils are encouraged to reflect upon their own ideas while listening respectfully to the views and experiences of others.

Through RE, we aim to develop knowledgeable, curious and respectful young people who can engage thoughtfully with the diverse range of beliefs and worldviews they encounter in modern Britain and the wider world.

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Aims of our Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 curriculum 

From Year 7 to Year 11, pupils develop their understanding of major world religions, non-religious worldviews such as Humanism, and key religious concepts including belief, ritual, ethics and sacred texts. The curriculum explores philosophical and ethical issues, encouraging pupils to consider questions of justice, morality and the meaning of life. 

Learning is carefully sequenced to build knowledge and understanding over time. Pupils examine how religious and non-religious beliefs influence individuals, communities and societies while developing the ability to analyse, evaluate and communicate their own ideas respectfully. By the end of Key Stage 3 and 4, pupils are well prepared for further study in Religious Studies and for active citizenship in a diverse and ever-changing world. 

Year 7 

In Year 7, pupils begin their Religious Education journey by exploring the nature and purpose of religion and belief. They are introduced to the concept of worldviews and examine both religious and non-religious perspectives, including Humanism. Pupils explore Christianity as a lived faith and consider how beliefs influence identity, values and daily life. They also begin to investigate philosophical and ethical questions, including concepts of justice and fairness. 

Year 8 

In Year 8, pupils deepen their understanding of religious identity, belief and practice through the study of Sikhism and Hinduism. They explore how key teachings shape the lives of believers while developing a greater appreciation of religious diversity. Pupils are also introduced to the philosophical challenge of evil and suffering, considering a range of religious and non-religious responses to one of life's most profound questions. 

Year 9 

In Year 9, pupils prepare for more advanced philosophical, theological and ethical study. They explore Islamic beliefs and practices, examine the origins and teachings of Buddhism, and consider how different worldviews respond to contemporary moral issues. Through the study of ethical debates and challenging questions, pupils develop the critical thinking and evaluative skills needed for Key Stage 4 study and beyond.

Year 10 and Year 11

In Year 10 and 11, pupils examine a range of different ethical issues drawing in their knowledge of different world religions and non-religious worldviews.  This enables them to consolidate prior knowledge and develop depth of unerstanding when faced with real-world issues and debates.