Welcome to Religious Studies

Intent

Religious Studies is essential in the current climate of our school and in our country.  Our students, who come from diverse backgrounds, will live, study and work in a multicultural society and therefore need to develop an understanding of religions in order to exist.  At Overton Grange, our RS curriculum is designed in such a way to create opportunities for students to gain an understanding of the major world religions found in Britain, including non-religious beliefs.   The RS department’s vision is to help pupils:

  •  To be enquiring members of the school and wider community.

  • To be critical and philosophical thinkers.

  • To reflect on the religious beliefs and practices of others.

  • To have confidence in expressing their beliefs, whilst respecting those of others.

Welcome to Religious Education 

Religious Education at Overton Grange gives students the opportunity to explore some of the biggest questions about life, belief, morality and the world around them. 

Our students encounter a wide range of religious and non-religious worldviews and are encouraged not simply to learn ‘what’ people believe, but to consider ‘why’ they believe it and whether the arguments and ideas they encounter are convincing. 

From Year 7 through to Sixth Form, students develop their knowledge of religion alongside the skills to question, analyse, debate and reach well-reasoned conclusions of their own.  RE is a subject where asking difficult questions is encouraged.

Curriculum

Our Curriculum Journey

Students follow a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds their knowledge and skills as they progress through the school.

Extra Reading

Extra Reading:

RE Beyond the Classroom

We believe that some of the most memorable learning takes place beyond the classroom.  Students have opportunities to encounter religion, history and ethical issues first-hand through educational visits, places of worship and enrichment activities.  These experiences help students connect what they learn in lessons with the people, communities, places and events they are studying.

Learning beyond the classroom includes opportunities such as:

-          Krakow and Auschwitz-Birkenau

-          Visits to places of worship

-          Guest speakers

-          Curriculum visits

-          Sixth Form enrichment

Where Can Religious Education Take You? 

RE develops skills that are highly valued by universities and employers.  Students learn how to: 

  • Analyse complex information  

  • Construct convincing arguments 

  • Evaluate evidence  

  • Consider different perspectives  

  • Communicate clearly  

  • Challenge assumptions  

  • Reach reasoned conclusions 

These transferable skills support students across a wide range of further study, university courses and future careers. 

Student Voice 

“I like RE because we don’t just learn about different religions. We get to discuss big questions and hear different opinions, and there isn’t always one right answer.” 
KS3 Student 

“GCSE RE has made me much more confident at explaining my own views and challenging other arguments. The debates we have in lessons really help when it comes to the evaluation questions.” 
GCSE Student 

“A Level RE completely changed the way I think. Philosophy makes you question things you normally take for granted, while Ethics lets you apply different theories to real issues. You’re encouraged to disagree, as long as you can justify why.” 
Sixth Form Student 

Meet the Religious Education Department 

Our RE department is passionate about creating a classroom environment in which students feel confident asking questions, challenging ideas and contributing to discussion. We encourage students to be curious, respectful and open-minded while developing the confidence to reach and justify their own conclusions. 

Miss E Barraclough – Head of Department 

Miss T Dean  

Miss M Hesdon 

Mr F Hussain 

Exam Specifications & Useful Resources 

AQA GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES: GCSE Religious Studies 8061 | Specification | AQA 

OCR A Level Religious Studies: AS and A Level - Religious Studies - H173, H573

Right to withdraw

Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children from RE on the grounds that they wish to provide their own RE. This provision will be the parents’ responsibility. This right of withdrawal exists for all pupils in all types of school, including schools with and without a religious designation. Students aged 18 or over have the right to withdraw themselves from RE. Parents/carers also have the right to withdraw their child from part of RE, and can do so without giving any explanation.

If you wish to withdraw your child from RE, please email the Headteacher with your request in the first instance.