Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (RPE)

Curriculum Intent Statement:

Religion, and its influence, surrounds our daily lives. Through the study of religion, our similarities and differences that surround us become more visible which allows us to engage with one another and which in turn helps us to start understanding our world better. To study religion is to delve into how religion interacts with all of these facets of our world. In addition to this, religion and the sacred texts of religion underpin our legal framework, cultural identities, great works of literature and art and provide foundational knowledge that is fundamental in the study of the humanities and the arts. In a similar way, Philosophy is a tool to open the mind to various questions that many hold dear, providing some answers to ultimate questions on life, death, as well as a special focus on ethical matters that consider how people should (or should not) act.

The main objective of RPE at Thorpe St Andrew School is to provide enriching lessons that effectively prepare our students for life in a culturally diverse modern Britain, and the world. Using the concepts of divinity, morality, community, identity and rationality, our students will explore the beliefs and lifestyles of the Abrahamic faiths, Buddhism and Humanism. This will allow our students the time to think about who they are and what they believe whilst reflecting on the choices of others. When examining any view, we take the approach of Authority, Interpretation and Myself (AIM) asking the questions of what authority the texts and individual we study hold, whether these texts and views can be interpreted in different way and always what we think about these texts and individuals.  This will help our students develop their own ideas, opinions, and think critically.

At Key Stage Four, alongside our GCSE option, our students will continue to be engaged with religious, philosophical and ethical matters. This is through relevant areas in their pastoral curriculum as well as a series of specially designed drop days that are often tied to international days of observance to ensure all of our students can continue to have those opportunities to think about who they are and what they believe whilst reflecting on the choices of others.


Click on the pictures below to find out more about the Key Stage 3 curriculum:


Click on the picture below to find out more about this as a Key Stage 4 curriculum option:

View our Curriculum page for: Key Stage 4 Curriculum Information


Sixth Form – Key Stage 5

View our Sixth Form pages for full information about the Courses on offer.



Links

BBC Religion and Ethics Programmes