The overarching concepts for Religious Education at Swanwick Hall School are:
- Asking Big Questions – communicating effectively and listening to others
- Personal Growth – developing compassion and empathy
- Respect – showing understanding and interest in the beliefs, opinions and cultures of others
- Morality – understanding right from wrong, investigating rules and boundaries
- Courageous Advocacy – challenging injustice and standing up for the rights of others
RE is a vital subject that enables students to develop their values, their beliefs and explore the reasons for their behaviour.
It provides a point of reflection and thought in a world where students are bombarded with information that is hard to digest and make sense of.
It ensures that students are aware and respectful of diversity and thus upholds directly two of SHS Values of inclusivity and respect.
The SMSC education of the students, whilst embedded across the whole curriculum, is significantly addressed through RE lessons.
RE provides an environment for students to debate and consider how their actions impact on others, this in turn fosters empathy and contributes to the literacy of the students.
By the end of Key Stage 3 students will be familiar with the key concepts of Christianity as the major world religious tradition of Great Britain, as well as the other major world religions of Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism. They will also understand the Humanist tradition and be able to compare and contrast the key ideas found in these worldviews.
Students will be able to describe a range of religious concepts including the reincarnation and the concept of God
Students will understand the significance of religious rules such as The Ten Commandments and The Five Pillars of Islam and their lasting importance in contemporary society.
Throughout Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 students will develop confidence in becoming courageous advocates, challenging injustice and suffering in the world and through personal experience, foster empathy and tolerance within a diverse world. This will be approached through using the examples of religious leaders and philosophers whilst considering their inspiration.
Throughout RE the teaching of the Golden Rule (which is upheld by all religions) and other religious stories and parables will instil and reinforce the qualities of kindness and tolerance and support the need for equality for all.
Students will engage in meaningful debate about the big questions in life and also consider moral dilemmas that are faced by people in everyday life, this will help to prepare them for adulthood and future situations.
