Year 7 Half Term Plan – Beliefs and Ethics.
Autumn Term 1 and 2 – Rites of Passage.
In this topic pupils explore the journey of life for the full Autumn Term. They consider how
and why people take on different roles, responsibilities and commitments at different
stages of their life. The theme of belonging is an on-going feature of this topic as pupils
investigate how and why individuals, locals and communities and society express religious
identity and demonstrate commitment through worship, celebration and lifestyle. During
this topic the pupils will focus on developing their skills in exploring beliefs teachings and
practices. This topic is the first pupils will engage with at KS3, linking with and building on
the KS2 Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education topics of Human Identity, The Journey of Life
and Belonging. Pupils will access this topic by considering these themes in Christianity, Islam
and Judaism.
Everyone will have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills during this unit. They will
learn to develop their own opinions and be able to describe the different religious beliefs of
others. Pupils will expand their range of religious vocabulary, giving examples of how beliefs
about teaching and practices can effect believers’ lives.
Some pupils will progress further to talk confidently about their own responses to question
about life, the world around them and religion, identifying similarities and differences
between religions.
The most able will interpret why different religions effect believers lives.
The best way to prepare for this ½ terms learning is for pupils to remember the key events
and milestones in their own life and how they were celebrated. They should think about
any times they have attended a Christening, Wedding or funeral.
Spring Term 1– Judaism.
This ½ term pupils build upon possible work done in primary on Judaism as a major world
faith. The focus of the topic is how Jewish people express their beliefs through the rules
they follow and the actions they take. Issues of Human Experience and Belonging will be
considered, with the role that authority plays in the life and choice of a Jewish believer. This
unit builds on work from the previous unit “Rites of Passages” where pupils will have been
introduced to various Jewish practices by investigating Bar Mitzvah. The skills in this unit
develop Exploring Beliefs, Teaching and Practices by considering the link between Jewish
beliefs and actions.
Everyone will describe beliefs, teachings and practices. Describe how beliefs, teachings and
practices affect believers’ lives. Use simple religious vocabulary.
Some will give examples of how beliefs, teachings and practices affect believers’ lives,
describe and begin to explain some beliefs, teachings and practices. Use a range of religious
vocabulary.
The most able will make links between beliefs, teachings and practices. Describe the impact
of beliefs, teachings and practices on believers’ lives. Interpret and explain an example of
symbolism.
The best way to prepare for this ½ terms learning is to revise the Jewish Rites of Passage
from the Autumn term. In addition, pupils should research key terms including: Shabbat,
Kosher and Pesach.
Spring Term 2 – The Life of Jesus.
This ½ term pupils will investigate the life of Jesus, focusing on his importance to one of the
main world religions – Christianity. Pupils will engage with fundamental questions, ranging
from who Jesus was, to the meaning of sacrifice. Pupils will explore beliefs and teachings
about Jesus’ life, focusing on the miracles and parables. Pupils will also express personal
responses in considering how Jesus’ life affects believers. This topic leads on from exploring
the life of Moses in the Judaism topic, as the significance of the figure is examined in more
detail, and also prepares pupils for the study of the life of the Buddha in year eight.
Pupils will build on the skills they laid during the Autumn term.
Everyone will be able to describe the impact of beliefs, teachings and practices on believers
lives.
Some will be able to interpret and explain an example of symbolism.
The most able will be able to make links between and describe the impact of beliefs and
teachings about Jesus on believers and practices.
The best way to prepare for this ½ terms learning is for pupils to review work they did in
Primary School on the Christmas and Easter stories as well as researching the Parables and
miracles of Jesus.
Summer Term 1 – Sacred Places.
This ½ term pupils build upon possible work done in primary on places of worship. Pupils
investigate a range of places of worship from different faiths. Their skills in expressing
personal responses are developed as the pupils consider the symbolism that exists in places
of worship. Pupils also engage with fundamental questions as they consider why
fundamental places are special. This topics provides ground work for examples covered in
more depth at GCSE. Pupils also undertake an extended investigative project about a local
sacred place. This allow pupils to engage with the culture and history of Wales.
Everyone will describe features of places of worship. Identify differences between places of
worship. Express their personal opinion.
Some will explain an example of symbolism in a place of worship. Identify similarities and
differences in places of worship. Explain and give reasons to support their answers
The most able will explain features of a place of worship using symbolic language. Give their
own opinion with explanation and reasoning in response to a fundamental question.
The best way to prepare for this ½ terms learning is to visit local churches and if possible St
Winefrides Well in Holywell.
Summer Term 2 – Ancient Greek Religion.
This ½ term topic pupils investigate ancient religious teaching. Pupils will explain the beliefs
teachings and practices of Ancient Greeks and Romans and explain the influence these gods
and goddess had on their lives. Pupils will talk about the meaning of religious symbols and
use and begin to interpret symbolic language. Pupil will therefore develop their skills in
expressing personal responses and exploring beliefs teachings and practices. Pupils will use
ancient myths to explore fundamental questions and will explore the link between the
Ancient using aetiology to explain the world with people’s beliefs today.
Everyone will Talk about others’ responses to questions about life, the world around them
and religion. Describe and begin to explain some religious beliefs, teachings and practices.
Talk about the meaning of religious symbols.
Some will Talk about their own and others’ responses to life the world around them and
religion. Give examples of how beliefs, teachings and practices affect believers’ lives. Use a
range of religious vocabulary
The most able will explain and give reasons and opinions about important questions using
my investigations. Describe the impact of beliefs, teachings and practices on believers’ lives.
Use and begin to explain some symbolic language
The best way to prepare for this ½ terms learning is for pupils to research the Gods, Myths
and symbols of ancient religions. Read stories such as The Clash of the Titans and the Percy
Jackson fiction books.