RE and Citizenship
Courses
KS4 Edexcel studies B Christianity and Islam Full and Short course offered
KS5 Edexcel A-Level Religious Studies (Philosophy, Ethics & New Testament)
Why study RE?
In Years 7, 8 and 9 RE is all about trying to answer the big questions that humans have been trying to answer throughout history: what is the meaning of life? What happens when we die? Why do bad things happen? Is there a God? These questions are still important today.
In Years 10 and 11 RE is all about finding out what people believe and why. We look at moral issues such as abortion, war and peace, punishment, and conscience, as well as the key beliefs, philosophies, and ethics of two religions (currently Christianity and Islam).
It is a lively and stimulating subject that encourages philosophical thought and develops decision making skills, enabling students to discuss and analyse issues they encounter in their lives, whilst at the same time learning how to respect the rights and responsibilities of others.
RE teaches you to think critically, listen, speak thoughtfully, and write clearly – all skills that are important in other subjects and in all future careers.
Why study Citizenship?
Citizenship at Barnhill provides students with the knowledge, skills and understanding to prepare them to play a full and active part in society. The following points are covered in the curriculum provision in order to enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem, and self-confidence in being a full and active citizen. Citizenship will:
1. enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
2. encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
3. enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of, and respect for, public institutions and services in England;
4. further tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
5. encourage respect for other people; and
6. encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
Content Covered
KS4 Knowledge Organisers
Meet the Team
Please click here below to see the members in our department.
Homework
Homework in Years 7, 8 and 9 will focus on the embedding of philosophical knowledge. Students will receive fortnightly homework. One piece of homework per year will be a project over a 2-week period.
In Years 10 and 11 student homework is based on practice exam technique. Seneca units will also be set for every section of the course.
In Year 12 and 13 homework is designed to ‘look forward’ to upcoming content, so that students are well-prepared to debate, discuss and develop knowledge and evaluation in lessons.
Enrichment Opportunities
As a department, we are keen to engage all students through real life experiences. In the autumn term of 2020, the Year 11 students had the opportunity to listen to hard-hitting guest speaker, Paul Hannaford. The students learned first about crime, prison, and rehabilitation back into society. Post speaker, the students had the opportunity to dissect the information and relate the importance of strong British Values within communities on both crime and rehabilitation.
The year 9 and 10 students also had the opportunity to participate in a Citizenship workshop led by CND: Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. CND works to achieve British nuclear disarmament – to get rid of nuclear weapons. The student took part in live discussions on democracy, the importance of government and that living under the rule of law protects individual citizens and is essential for their wellbeing and safety.
Year 10 Citizenship students also have the opportunity to visit the Royal Courts of Justice in London and partake in a mock murder trial.
Gifted and More Able Students
Every lesson will have differentiated resources and activities aimed at stretching the most able. Work at each key stage has the opportunity for learning up to the key stage above. There will be opportunities for identified high achieving groups to work independently outside the lessons at a higher standard than the standard levels of progress.
