Religious Studies curriculum by year
The summaries below set out the main areas of learning in each year, the knowledge and skills pupils will develop, and the intended curriculum end points. They also show how learning builds progressively across the Religious Studies curriculum and prepares pupils for the next stage of their education.
Year 7
Me and My World
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand the concepts of faith, belief and worldview.
- Explore different beliefs about God and creation.
- Examine religious and non-religious ideas about how people should live.
- Understand how beliefs can influence values and behaviour.
- Explore how faith can inspire people to make a positive difference.
- Explain different perspectives using appropriate vocabulary.
- Reflect on their own values and the values of others.
Introduction to Islam: Beliefs and Practices
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand key Muslim beliefs about God.
- Explain the importance of the Qur’an.
- Understand the purpose and significance of the Five Pillars.
- Explore how Muslim beliefs influence everyday life.
- Recognise diversity within Islam.
- Explain how understanding different faiths can challenge prejudice.
- Communicate knowledge respectfully and accurately.
Religion Through Time
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Explore religious and cultural beliefs in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.
- Understand beliefs about gods and the afterlife.
- Explain how religious beliefs influenced daily life.
- Examine the importance of worship and festivals.
- Identify connections between ancient beliefs and later religious traditions.
- Compare beliefs across different historical and cultural settings.
How Year 7 builds on previous learning
Year 7 builds on pupils’ primary experiences of religious education by establishing a secure understanding of belief, practice, faith and worldview.
How Year 7 prepares pupils for future learning
The year provides the knowledge and vocabulary pupils need to explore more complex questions about God, suffering, values and religious practice in Year 8.
Year 8
Contemplating God
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand what it means to be a religious believer.
- Explore beliefs within Christianity, Judaism and Sikhism.
- Explain how religious beliefs influence everyday life.
- Consider different explanations for the beginning of the universe.
- Explore different perspectives on miracles.
- Examine arguments about the existence of God.
- Consider how belief in God may be challenged by evil and suffering.
- Compare religious and non-religious responses to philosophical questions.
Introduction to Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand key Buddhist beliefs and teachings.
- Explore Buddhist approaches to suffering.
- Explain how Buddhist teachings influence ethical behaviour.
- Understand the importance of worship and festivals.
- Examine how Buddhist practice shapes everyday life.
- Recognise diversity within Buddhism.
- Apply accurate specialist vocabulary.
Values
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand how values influence decisions and behaviour.
- Explore how family, culture, religion and experience shape personal values.
- Examine religious teachings about compassion, forgiveness and justice.
- Understand the concept of moral courage.
- Explore examples of people who acted courageously to protect others.
- Compare different responses to moral situations.
- Reflect on the relationship between beliefs, values and actions.
How Year 8 builds on previous learning
Year 8 develops pupils’ understanding of belief and practice by applying it to significant philosophical and ethical questions.
How Year 8 prepares pupils for future learning
The year prepares pupils to evaluate more complex questions about morality, law, justice, human life and personal responsibility in Year 9.
Year 9
Crime and Punishment
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand the relationship between morality, law and justice.
- Explore different explanations for why crime occurs.
- Examine the purposes of punishment.
- Compare religious and ethical perspectives on punishment.
- Consider the role and effectiveness of prisons.
- Explore arguments surrounding different approaches to justice.
- Construct balanced and evidence-informed conclusions.
Ethical Questions About Human Life
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand that questions about human life can involve competing rights and responsibilities.
- Explore religious, non-religious, ethical and legal perspectives.
- Consider different beliefs about when life begins.
- Examine ideas about personal choice and human dignity.
- Understand why individuals and traditions reach different conclusions.
- Discuss sensitive questions respectfully.
- Evaluate contrasting arguments before reaching a reasoned judgement.
The Big Debate
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Explore religious, non-religious and philosophical perspectives on contemporary issues.
- Examine questions connected to fame, wealth and responsibility.
- Consider ethical perspectives on drugs and alcohol.
- Explore debates about animal testing.
- Examine beliefs about life after death.
- Consider religious and ethical responses to war and refugees.
- Apply teachings about compassion and responsibility towards others.
- Present and defend a reasoned conclusion.
How Year 9 builds on previous learning
Year 9 brings together pupils’ knowledge of belief, practice, ethics and philosophy and applies it to complex contemporary questions.
How Year 9 prepares pupils for future learning
The year prepares pupils for GCSE by developing their ability to explain contrasting beliefs, apply teachings and evaluate ethical arguments.
Year 10
Christian Beliefs
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand key Christian beliefs about God.
- Explain Christian beliefs about creation.
- Understand beliefs about Jesus, incarnation and salvation.
- Explore Christian beliefs about life after death.
- Explain how beliefs are supported by sacred texts.
- Recognise different Christian interpretations.
- Analyse how beliefs influence individuals and communities.
Religion, Relationships and Families
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Explore Christian perspectives on relationships and family life.
- Understand how religious teachings influence personal decisions.
- Compare religious and non-religious viewpoints.
- Examine the significance of commitment, responsibility and human dignity.
- Explain contrasting perspectives accurately and respectfully.
- Evaluate ethical arguments and reach supported conclusions.
Christian Practices
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand different forms of Christian worship.
- Explain the importance of prayer and sacraments.
- Explore the significance of pilgrimage and festivals.
- Understand the role of the Church within local and global communities.
- Examine Christian responses to poverty and persecution.
- Explain how practices express and strengthen belief.
Religion and Life
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Explore religious and non-religious beliefs about the origins of the universe.
- Examine beliefs about the value of human and animal life.
- Understand different perspectives on environmental responsibility.
- Explain how religious teachings influence ethical decisions.
- Compare contrasting arguments.
- Construct balanced and evidence-informed judgements.
How Year 10 builds on previous learning
Year 10 develops themes introduced at Key Stage 3 through a more detailed study of Christian beliefs, practices and ethical perspectives.
How Year 10 prepares pupils for future learning
The year establishes the knowledge and evaluative skills needed to study Buddhism and further ethical themes in Year 11.
Year 11
Buddhist Beliefs
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand the life and significance of Siddhartha Gautama.
- Explain key Buddhist teachings.
- Understand Buddhist explanations of suffering.
- Explore beliefs about the nature of existence.
- Explain how Buddhist teachings influence attitudes and behaviour.
- Recognise different traditions and interpretations within Buddhism.
- Apply sacred teachings accurately within written responses.
Buddhist Practices
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand different forms of Buddhist worship.
- Explore the importance of meditation.
- Explain how Buddhist practices express religious beliefs.
- Understand the significance of festivals and places of worship.
- Examine how Buddhist ethical teachings influence everyday life.
- Recognise diversity within Buddhist practice.
- Make connections between beliefs and actions.
Religion, Crime and Punishment
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Examine religious and non-religious perspectives on crime.
- Understand different causes of criminal behaviour.
- Explore the aims of punishment.
- Consider ideas about forgiveness, justice and rehabilitation.
- Compare contrasting perspectives.
- Apply religious teachings to ethical questions.
- Reach a balanced and supported judgement.
Thematic Study and Examination Preparation
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Apply Christian and Buddhist teachings to ethical questions.
- Explain contrasting religious and non-religious viewpoints.
- Use sources of authority accurately.
- Analyse strengths and weaknesses within an argument.
- Construct balanced conclusions.
- Retrieve and connect knowledge from across the GCSE course.
- Apply knowledge independently under examination conditions.
How Year 11 builds on previous learning
Year 11 builds on Key Stage 3 and Year 10 through a detailed study of Buddhist beliefs and practices and further application of religion to ethical questions.
How Year 11 prepares pupils for future learning
The year prepares pupils for final GCSE assessment and provides a strong foundation for post-16 study of religion, philosophy and ethics.
Years 12 and 13
Study of Religion: Judaism
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand significant Jewish religious figures and sacred texts.
- Explore key religious concepts and beliefs.
- Examine the relationship between belief, identity and religious life.
- Understand important religious practices.
- Explore significant social and historical developments.
- Analyse diversity within Judaism.
- Evaluate how teachings and practices respond to contemporary issues.
- Construct detailed and evidence-informed arguments.
Philosophy: Arguments for the Existence of God
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand significant philosophical arguments for God’s existence.
- Explain the reasoning supporting different arguments.
- Analyse the assumptions on which arguments are based.
- Compare contrasting philosophical approaches.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different positions.
- Construct clear and sustained philosophical arguments.
Philosophy: Challenges to Belief in God
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand significant arguments against belief in God.
- Explore the philosophical problem of evil and suffering.
- Examine different religious responses.
- Compare religious and non-religious perspectives.
- Evaluate whether different responses resolve the challenges raised.
- Reach reasoned and supported conclusions.
Religious Experience
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand different types of religious experience.
- Explore how individuals interpret such experiences.
- Examine psychological and religious explanations.
- Analyse whether religious experiences provide evidence for God.
- Compare contrasting interpretations.
- Evaluate the strengths and limitations of different arguments.
Religious Language
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand debates about the meaning of religious language.
- Explore whether language about God can be meaningful.
- Examine symbolic, analogical and non-cognitive approaches.
- Compare different philosophical positions.
- Apply theories to religious statements.
- Construct balanced and well-supported evaluations.
Ethical Thought
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand different approaches to moral decision-making.
- Explore the foundations of ethical judgements.
- Examine how reason, consequences, duties and character may influence decisions.
- Compare religious and philosophical approaches.
- Apply ethical theories to situations.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of contrasting positions.
Teleological Ethics
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand ethical approaches based on goals and consequences.
- Explain how actions may be judged by their outcomes.
- Apply teleological reasoning to ethical questions.
- Examine strengths and limitations.
- Compare teleological approaches with other ethical theories.
- Reach reasoned conclusions about their usefulness.
Deontological Ethics
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand ethical approaches based on duties, rules and principles.
- Explain how actions may be judged independently of their outcomes.
- Apply deontological reasoning to ethical questions.
- Analyse strengths and limitations.
- Compare duty-based and consequence-based approaches.
- Construct sustained ethical evaluations.
Free Will and Determinism
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand different concepts of freedom and responsibility.
- Explore religious, philosophical and scientific perspectives on human choice.
- Examine different forms of determinism.
- Consider the implications for moral responsibility.
- Compare contrasting positions.
- Evaluate whether human beings can be genuinely free.
How A-Level builds on previous learning
A-Level develops the knowledge of religion, ethics and philosophy established at GCSE through more demanding texts, complex arguments and increasingly independent evaluation.
How A-Level prepares pupils for future learning
The course prepares pupils for higher education, employment and informed participation in public debate. It develops analytical reading, logical reasoning, independent research and the ability to communicate complex arguments clearly.
