Religious Education
Religious Education
- Exam Syllabus & Revision: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-8063/specification
- Intent:
KS3: To establish secure theological and philosophical foundations through the RED curriculum, developing core knowledge of Christian belief, other world religions, and ethical reasoning.
KS4: To deepen understanding of Roman Catholic beliefs and practices, Judaism, and contemporary moral issues through AQA GCSE Religious Studies B, developing structured evaluation and exam literacy.
KS5: To develop advanced critical thinking through Edexcel A Level Religious Studies, enabling students to analyse religious, ethical and philosophical arguments with academic rigour in preparation for higher education.
- Implementation:
The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge cumulatively across key stages. Teaching approaches include explicit instruction, retrieval practice, extended writing, debate, and application to real‑world contexts. Enrichment includes liturgy, chaplaincy activities, guest speakers, and cross‑curricular links with History, English and Science. Assessment is frequent, purposeful, and aligned to exam board requirements.
- Impact:
Impact is measured through formative assessment, summative exams, progress data analysis (including PP, SEND and HPA), student voice, work scrutiny and external exam outcomes. Students demonstrate strong religious literacy, evaluative writing, and the ability to apply ethical frameworks to contemporary issues. Outcomes at GCSE and A Level are consistently in line with or above national averages.
Religious Education at KS3, KS4 and KS5 provides a rigorous, knowledge‑rich curriculum rooted in the Catholic tradition and informed by Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Students engage critically with religious, philosophical and ethical ideas, developing religious literacy, evaluative skills, and an appreciation of human dignity, social justice, and the common good. The curriculum promotes intellectual curiosity, moral reasoning, and respectful dialogue, equipping students to participate thoughtfully in a plural and democratic society.
Parents of pupils in VA schools and voluntary academies are permitted, by law, to request that their child is withdrawn from receiving all or part of Religious Education and/or collective worship given at the school and any such request shall stand until such time that a parent’s request is withdrawn. Sixth form pupils in VA schools and voluntary academies may, on their own behalf, wholly or partly withdraw from attendance at collective worship at the school. Should a parent or student wish to exercise this right they should email the Principal at
pdf SPHS General RE Programme 2025-26(246 KB)
Curriculum Overview by Year Group and Term
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creation and Covenant – God’s Revelation What does the Bible teach about God and creation? How do faith and science relate? |
Prophecy and Promise – The Word of God How does God speak through Scripture? What is revelation? |
Galilee to Jerusalem – Jesus the Incarnate Word Who is Jesus and how is He the model of holiness? |
Desert to Garden – The Paschal Mystery How do Catholics celebrate the Paschal Mystery? |
To the Ends of the Earth – The Holy Spirit What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Church? |
Dialogue and Encounter – Faith and Unity How does the Church work with other faiths? |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creation and Covenant – Faith and Freedom What does freedom mean in Catholic teaching? |
Prophecy and Promise – The Call to Holiness How does God call His people? |
Galilee to Jerusalem – Jesus and the Marginalised How does Jesus reveal the Kingdom of God today? |
Desert to Garden – Suffering and Hope How can suffering lead to redemption? |
To the Ends of the Earth – Resurrection and Life After Death What does the Resurrection mean for Christians? |
Dialogue and Encounter – Understanding Islam What do Catholics share with Muslims in faith and practice? |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creation and Covenant – Human Dignity Why is human life sacred? |
Prophecy and Promise – Mary and Discipleship How does Mary reveal God’s love? |
Galilee to Jerusalem – Call to Discipleship What does it mean to follow Christ today? |
Desert to Garden – Covenant and Redemption How is the Old Covenant fulfilled in Christ? |
To the Ends of the Earth – Communion of Saints What does the Church teach about life after death? |
Dialogue and Encounter – Interfaith Dialogue How does dialogue build understanding today? |
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paper 2 GCSE Theme A Unit: Religion, Relationships and Families
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Paper 2 GCSE Theme C Unit: Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice
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Paper 1 – Roman Catholicism Unit: Creation
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Paper 1 – Roman Catholicism Unit: Incarnation
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Paper 1 – Roman Catholicism Unit: The Triune God
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Paper 1 – Roman Catholicism Unit: Redemption
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| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 – Roman Catholicism Unit: Church and the Kingdom of God
|
Paper 1 – Roman Catholicism Unit: Eschatology
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Paper 2 – Judaism Unit: Jewish Beliefs
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Paper 2 – Judaism Unit: Jewish Practices
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RE GCSE Exam Revision Schedule |
Study Leave |
