Religious Education Curriculum
“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.” Buddha
“It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same
amount of energy loving their fellow men, the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui.” Helen Keller
“So I say to you, Ask and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be
opened for you.” Jesus Christ
Religious Education is central to the curriculum at St. Patrick’s Catholic College. We are committed to
living out the Mission Statement of the School by helping each student to grow in their faith and in
education. Christ is at the centre of our work as we constantly try to live out Christ’s mission in our daily
lives and live out the Gospel Values. We believe that all students are created by God, are sacred and
valued for all their individual gifts and talents. We hope to educate each student as a whole person so
they will grow and develop as a thinking, considerate individual who feels confident of their place in the
world. Religion is an essential part of man’s everyday existence and is therefore relevant to all.
Our RE Curriculum is distinctively Catholic and guides the students into discovering a deeper Catholic
belief. They are guided into discovering that relationship with God and with others is essential to being
human. Students also explore many other religious dimensions of life and learn to think spiritually,
ethically and theologically. Other key skills that we endeavour to assist you in your development of are:
being able to give reasons, explaining yourself, evaluating, interpreting and critically analysing.
We look forward to welcoming you to our school community and working alongside you as you grow
and develop.
"The education of children for God is the most important business done on earth."
R. L. Dabney
Key Stage 3 Religious Education
KS3
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Aut 1
Introduction to RE
Faith in Action Kingdom of God
Pilgrimage
Aut 2
Jesus
Judaism
Islam
Faith in Action: Kingdom of God
Mission: Jesus the Saviour and Sacrament of Service
Extremeism: PREVENT
Spr 1
Forgiveness
Stewardship
Love
Spr 2
RSE
Mission Jesus the Saviour and Vocation
Extremeism
Sum 1
Hinduism
Sikhism
Issues
Key Stage 4 Religious Education
Current Year 11
Students who are currently in Year 11 follow the Edexcel Religious Studies Course, Units 3 and 8.
Unit 3: Roman Catholic Christianity
Section 1: Believing in God
1. Catholic upbringing
2. Religious experience
3. The Design argument
4. Causation argument
5. Science and non-belief in God
6. Christian responses to science
7. Unanswered prayers and non-belief in God and Christian responses.
8. Evil and suffering
9. Christian responses
10. Media and belief in God.
Section 2: Matters of Life and Death
1. Roman Catholic beliefs in life after death
2. Non-religious belief in life after death
3. Non-belief in life after death
4. Teachings on the sanctity of life
5. The nature of abortion and law
6. Christian views on abortion
7. The nature of euthanasia
8. Christian views on euthanasia
9. Word poverty- the causes
10.How and why CAFOD is trying to end world poverty
11.Matters of life and death in the media
Section 3: Marriage and the family
1. Changing attitudes to marriage, divorce, family and homosexuality in the UK
2. Christian attitudes to sex outside of marriage
3. The purpose of marriage in Catholic Christianity and how this is shown in the wedding ceremony
4. Different Christian attitudes to divorce
5. Christian attitudes to homosexuality
6. Roman Catholic teachings on family life
7. How the Catholic parishes help with the upbringing of children and help to keep the family together
8. Different methods of contraception and reasons people use them
9. Christian attitudes to contraception
10.Marriage and the family in the media
Section 4: Religion and community cohesion
1. Changing attitudes to gender roles in the UK.
2. The different Christian attitudes to equal rights for women in religion and the reasons for them.
3. The UK as a multi-ethnic society-discrimination and racism.
4. Government action to promote community cohesion.
5. The work of the Roman Catholic Church to help asylum seekers and immigrant workers.
6. Why Catholics should promote racial harmony.
7. Differences in Christian attitudes to other religions.
8. The UK as a multi-faith society.
9. Ways in which religions work to promote community cohesion in the UK.
10. Presentation of issues on religion and community cohesion in the media.
• Worth 50% of total grade.
• 1 hour 30 min exam.
Unit 8 Depth Study: Religion and Society
Section 1: Rights and Responsibilities
1. Christians and the Bible
2. Christians and the authority of the Church
3. Christians and conscience
4. Christians and Situation Ethics
5. Christian and the variety of moral authorities
6. Human rights in the UK
7. Human rights are important to Christians
8. Why human rights are important to Christians
9. Why it is important to take part in democratic and electoral processes
10. Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities
11. The nature of genetic engineering
12. Christian attitudes to genetic engineering
Section 2: Environmental and medical issues
1. Global warming
2. Pollution
3. Natural resources
4. Christian teaching on stewardship and attitudes to the environment
5. Muslim teaching on stewardship and attitudes to the environment
6. Medical treatment for infertility
7. Christian attitudes to medical treatment for infertility
8. Muslim attitudes to medical treatment for infertility
9. Transplant surgery
10. Christian attitudes to transplant surgery
11. Muslim attitudes to transplant surgery
Section 3: Peace and Conflict
1. The United Nations and world peace
2. How religious organisations try to promote world peace
3. Why wars occur
4. The nature and importance of the theory of just war
5. Differences among Christians in their attitudes to war
6. Muslim attitudes to war
7. Christian attitudes to bullying
8. Muslim attitudes to bullying
9. Religious conflicts in families
10. Christian teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation
11. Muslim teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation
Section 4: Crime and punishment
1. The need for law and justice
2. Theories of punishment
3. Why is justice important for Christians?
4. Why is justice important for Muslims?
5. Capital punishment and non-religious arguments about it.
6. Different Christian attitudes to Capital Punishment.
7. Different Muslim attitudes to Capital Punishment.
8. The law on drugs and alcohol.
9. Social health problems caused by drugs and alcohol.
10. Different attitudes to drugs and alcohol in Christianity.
11. Different attitudes to drugs and alcohol in Islam.
• Worth 50% of total grade.
• 1 hour 30 min exam.
Current Year 10
Students who are currently in Year 10 follow the Eduqas Religious Studies Course, route B.
Foundational Catholic Theology: 37.5% Exam: 1½ hours, 90marks
Applied Catholic Theology: 37.5% Exam: 1½ hours, 90marks
Judaism: 25% Exam: 1 hour, 60marks
Year10
Autumn Term FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 1: Origins and Meaning
Introduction – 1 week
Origins and Meaning – 4 weeks
Beliefs on Creation – 2 weeks
HALF TERM
FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 1: Origins and Meaning (continued)
The Bible – 1 week
Forms of expression in painting – 1 week
Forms of expression and symbolism – 1 week
Practices: CST, CAFOD, SVP – 2 weeks
Revision: 1 week
Exam: 45mins
Feedback on exam
Spring Term FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 2: Good and Evil
Introduction – 1 week
Good, evil and suffering – 3 weeks
Trinity - 1½ weeks
Incarnation - 1½ weeks
FOUNDATIONAL CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 2: Good and Evil (continued)
Jesus and Moral Authority – 2 weeks
Sculpture and Statuary – 1½ weeks
Practices: pilgrimage, Lourdes, piety – 2 weeks
Revision: 1 week
Exam: 45mins
Feedback on exam
3
Year
Summer Term JUDAISM
Beliefs and Teachings
The Nature of God - 1½ weeks
Messiah (Mashiach) – 1 week
Covenant - 1½ weeks
Life on Earth – 1 week
The afterlife – 1 week
Completion of mock exam for Foundational Theology
(1½ hrs)
Half Term JUDAISM
Practices
Worship in Britain and elsewhere – 1 week
The Synagogue & Daily Life – 1½ week
Rituals – 2 weeks
Festivals – 2 weeks
Completion of mock exam for Judaism (1hr)
Year
Year 11
11
Autumn Term APPLIED CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 3: Life and Death
Introduction – 1 week
Death and the Afterlife – 2½ weeks
Eschatology - 1½ weeks
The Magisterium – 2 weeks
APPLIED CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 3: Life and Death
Artefacts - 1½ weeks
Music and the funeral rite – 1 week
Practices: Prayer in Catholic communities – 2 weeks
Revision: 1 week
Full exam: 45mins
Feedback on exam
Completion of mock exam for Judaism (1hr)
Year
Spring Term APPLIED CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 4: Sin and Forgiveness
Introduction – 1 week
Crime and Punishment – 2½ weeks
Redemption - 1½ weeks
Church - 1½ weeks
Completion of mock exam for Foundational Theology
(1½ hrs)
APPLIED CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
Theme 3: Life and Death
Buildings - 1½ weeks
Sacraments – 2 weeks
Mission and Evangelisation – 1½ weeks
Revision: 1 week
Completion of mock exam for Foundational Theology (1½
hrs)
Feedback on exam
Summer Term REVISION TIME
What skills will students develop in RE?











Empathy
Understanding motives and other cultures
Self-reflection
Morality
Decision making skills
Formulating and debating arguments
Memory Skills
Handling and processing information
Organising & present information
Researching information
Extracting information from sources
How will students study?













Independent study
Group and pair work
Research and Project work
Teacher supported study
Thinking skills
Using documentary source enquires
Drama & role play
Debate
Audio‐visual films & documentaries
ICT
Visits
Speakers
Liturgies
Universities and Employers rate Religious Education very highly
RE is a useful qualification for exciting careers in:












Law
Journalism
Teaching
Archaeology
Police
Banking
Civil Service
Local Government
Museum work
Library & Archives
Tourism
Any social work
Curriculum time provision
All students have 5 hours of Religious Education over a fortnight.
Extra-Curricular activities
Philosophy
Who? Anyone
When? Monday all lunch time (bring your packed lunch)
The ‘basics’ of Philosophy
How do we know what is right? (moral
philosophy)
Is this art? (aesthetic philosophy)
How do we know anything? (epistemology)
Why do we watch scary films? (philosophy of
film)
Can our mind exist separate from our body?
(metaphysics)
Film Club
Who? Dependent on what is being show.
All will be supporting the RE curriculum.
When? Wednesday 3:30-4:30pm
What? Watch out on the RE notice board.
GCSE intervention
Who? Year 11
When? Wednesday all lunch time.
Homework Projects
Y7 Homework Project – Introduction to a Catholic School
You have been given a choice of activities to complete between now and half term. You should
be producing a piece of homework every 2 weeks. Anyone who completes all of the tasks will
be rewarded accordingly.
Target D: You should complete at least 1 red and any of the other tasks.
E: You should complete at least 1 amber and any of the others tasks.
 You should complete a minimum of 3 tasks before half term.
 You may work independently or with a partner but you must both have evidence.
 You may present your work on the computer or by hand and hand in either in class or
through SMHW.
 There is a high standard of presentation required.
 You may adapt a task so it suits how you present it.
Visit a church or go on Create a Venn diagram Interview a Catholic
Create a fact file
a virtual tour. Write
comparing a Catholic
teacher or priest
about John the
down 5 things you see. school to a nonabout Catholic
Baptist.
Catholic school.
schools. Record your
answers.
Create a poem or art
Describe three
Choose a Holy Day of Compare the new
piece (with an
communities that you
Obligation. Explain
Creed used in church
explanation) about
belong to outside of
what it is and why
with the old Creed.
belonging to a Catholic school.
Catholics find it
Highlight the
community.
important.
differences. Which do
you prefer? Why?
Y8 Homework Project – Faith in Action
You have been given a choice of activities to complete between now and half term. You should be
producing a piece of homework every 2 weeks. Anyone who completes all of the tasks will be
rewarded accordingly.
Target C: You should complete at least 1 red and any of the other tasks.
D: You should complete at least 1 amber and any of the others tasks.
 You should complete a minimum of 3 tasks before half term.
 You may work independently or with a partner but you must both have evidence.
 You may present your work on the computer or by hand and hand in either in class or
through SMHW.
 There is a high standard of presentation required.
 You may adapt a task so it suits how you present it.
Who do you think
Choose 1 person and
Select one event from
List 10 ways to put
should be made a
profile their life and
the life of either
your faith in action.
saint? Explain in
work. Pick from: Mother Gandhi, Martin Luther
detail your answer.
Theresa, Saint Pope John King Jr or Sojourner
Paul II, Nelson Mandela, Truth. Imagine you are
Archbishop Desmond
interviewing them.
Tutu)
Write the questions and
answers.
Create a venn
Watch a tv programme
Create a facebook page Compare and contrast
diagram of Martin
and list any prejudice
of a saint.
different religious
Luther King Jr and
and discrimination you
views on saints.
Gandhi.
Explain your view.
see. (soap, news,
documentary, film)
Y9 Homework Project –Pilgrimage
You have been given a choice of activities to complete between now and half term. You should be
producing a piece of homework every 2 weeks. Anyone who completes all of the tasks will be
rewarded accordingly.
Target B: You should complete at least 1 red and any of the other tasks.
C: You should complete at least 1 amber and any of the others tasks.
 You should complete a minimum of 3 tasks before half term.
 You may work independently or with a partner but you must both have evidence.
 You may present your work on the computer or by hand and hand in either in class or
through SMHW.
 There is a high standard of presentation required.
 You may adapt a task so it suits how you present it.
Research a British
In detail, create your
Interview someone
Find out why people
pilgrimage. Record
own pilgrimage.
about their life
may go on Pilgrimage
your findings.
journey.
to Lindisfarne. Why is it
important to
Christians?
Print a world map and
Create a diary entry of Find 5 facts about India Interview someone
label places of
a visit to Lumbini.
linked to pilgrimage.
who has been to
pilgrimage.
Lourdes.
Y10 Homework Project – Origins and Meaning
You have been given a choice of activities to complete between now and Christmas. You should be
producing a piece of homework every 2 weeks. Anyone who completes all of the tasks will be
rewarded accordingly.
Target A/A*: You should complete at least 2 reds and any of the other tasks.
B-C: You should complete at least 2 ambers and any of the others tasks.
 You should complete a minimum of 3 tasks before half term and a minimum of 3 tasks before
Christmas.
 You may work independently or with a partner but you must both have evidence.
 You may present your work on the computer or by hand and hand in either in class or
through SMHW.
 There is a high standard of presentation required.
 You may adapt a task so it suits how you present it.
Google “Creation
Profile the life and work of Make a
Take a photo of
Stories from around George Le Maitre.
model/video/series of
something beautiful
the world” and
images of the process of
in creation and
record how another
evolution.
either print it or
culture explains the
email it to your
origins of the world.
teacher.
Research the work
Rework the creation
Write about a project
Find 5 interesting
of “A Rocha” and
narrative from Genesis as
that CAFOD are involved
quotes from St.
find out what they
a poem/storyboard/set of in and why you think this Catherine of Sienna
do and why they do
images/animation.
is an important project.
and say what you
it.
like about each of
them.
Produce an image
that represents
‘temptation to do
wrong’.
Read one of the
following books by
Richard Dawkins and
write an analytical
review. ‘The God
Delusion’, ‘The
Greatest Show on
Earth’ or ‘The Magic
of Reality’.
Take a virtual tour of the
Basilica San Clemente and
write about 3 things you
see along the way.
Visit humanism.org.uk
and record the
campaigns that
humanists are involved
in.
Watch the movie
Should Harambe the
“Creation” about the life of Gorilla have been shot?
Charles Darwin and write a Are humans more
synopsis of the film.
important than animals?
Find out what Peter
Singer would say on this
issue.
Research what St.
Augustine of Hippo
is patron saint of
and how this links
to his murky past.
Look up Genesis
1:26-31. Explain
what it means for
Christians today and
how it affects their
life.