Religious Education

It is our intent for the Religious Education department to engage, challenge, inspire and encourage students through our curriculum. We aim to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to debate challenging questions, to explore different beliefs, values and traditions and therefore gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Through the study of Christianity and the other major world religions our curriculum is designed to build upon the knowledge gained at Key Stage 2, following the Wirral Agreed Syllabus and Barbara Wintersgill’s research into the ‘Big Ideas in RE’. The RE curriculum will help to develop responsibility and respect for all aspects of diversity, whether it be social, cultural and religious, and prepare students well for life in modern Britain.

Students are given opportunities to explore many of the major world religions and non-religious beliefs represented in Great Britain today, presenting students with the knowledge and understanding to recognise and celebrate diversity. Students are given the opportunity to study philosophical and ethical issues in the modern world, looking at current real-world issues. They are encouraged to construct well argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject.

We believe that Religious Education makes a unique contribution to students’ lives by teaching them about a range of different opinions and viewpoints. It is uniquely placed to create greater understanding and tolerance between people of all religious and non-religious beliefs and thereby to improve relationships within societies and communities.

Religious Education and PSHE are combined at Weatherhead and taught on a weekly basis for students in Key Stage 3, and through Tutor Time sessions at Key Stage 4.

All teachers within our department have expert knowledge in Religious Education, either through their background qualifications or through training provided by external causes. Our staff are passionate about Religion, Philosophy and Ethics and hope to share that passion with the students that we teach.

Our schemes of work are built on the foundation of skills and knowledge acquired during Key Stage 2 and the syllabus is designed to ‘reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main, Christian, while considering the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain’. (s 375 (3) Education Act 1996) We comply with the legal requirements for the teaching of Religious Education by following the Wirral Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education and the research presented in Barbara Wintersgill’s ‘The Big Ideas in RE’. Throughout each key stage, students deepen their understanding of Christianity and other religious and worldviews.

In Key Stage 4 the learning is built on from KS3 to deepen students’ understanding of the relationship between people and about common and divergent views within traditions and the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed. Students follow the OCR Religious Studies Course for GCSE. Students explore two key religions, Christianity and Islam, with an exploration of non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism. Students also learn about Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World, looking at current real-world issues. Students learn skills to develop their ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject.

Lessons are planned and delivered in a variety of ways so that all students can participate fully. Interactive, practical activities linked to the themes in the syllabus and other subjects where appropriate, encourage our students to discuss their ideas and extend their understanding of difficult concepts and challenging questions. At the end of each unit of study, students are assessed on their learning to help inform future planning. Students complete regular mastery tasks and assessment activities throughout the course of study.

Students at Weatherhead face a challenging and engaging curriculum which allows them to celebrate and explore the diversity of the world around them. Students are free to share their opinions and reflect on their own beliefs in a safe and secure learning environment. This is evident in student voice, learning walks and book scrutiny, which all form part of the department’s curriculum quality assurance.

The department offers students an A level in Religious studies, focusing on Philosophy, Ethics and a study of Christianity. Each year we have students who choose to continue their study of Religious Studies, Theology, Philosophy, and other related courses at university. From the 2020-21 cohort, students have gone on to study; Philosophy and Politics at the University of Leeds, English Language and Religious Studies at Liverpool Hope University and Classics at the University of Cambridge. In previous years we have welcomed back former students as part of the alumni program. This has given our students a rich understanding of University life and the future career pathways available to them.

Students at Weatherhead are given the opportunity to become a part of the RE Council. The RE Council allows students the opportunity to celebrate all of the different religious and non-religious viewpoints represented at Weatherhead. They are active within the RE department, discussing issues that are important to students, celebrating days of religious significance and raising awareness of different faiths and beliefs. The RE Council help develop resources and deliver assemblies on a variety of topics, including Human Rights and Divali.

Many of our sixth form students have chosen to volunteer some of their time to assist Key Stage 3 students in their RE lessons. This gives students the opportunity to guide and nurture younger students and further develop communication skills which will benefit them in their future life choices.

Through a sequenced and high-quality curriculum, students are able reflect upon their own beliefs and the beliefs of others. They are given the time to develop their own views, they are given a knowledge of other religions to enable them to become respectful and tolerant members of society who embrace and celebrate diversity.

All RE classrooms are fully equipped with a computer and an interactive whiteboard. Pupils are able to experience first-hand a range of religious artefacts which assist them in their learning of the world’s six major religions.

A range of support sessions are available within the department which run at lunchtime and after school.  Additional revision classes are available for Key Stage 4 and 5 students in the run up to their exams. The department runs Easter school sessions and can provide students with additional one-to-one support if necessary.