Religious Studies
The study of religion and philosophy at Harris Academy Bermondsey provides academic knowledge through which pupils begin to explore and comprehend important ideas about the world, themselves, and to put into context the experience, beliefs and actions of others.
Through the systematic (looking at the ‘truth’ of different world faiths and non-religious views, exploring detailed concepts) and thematic (looking at questions, concepts or issues, in relation to religious and non-religious beliefs) approaches, we provide fundamental contributions to all of the students’ knowledge of different dogmas and ideologies. The curriculum is specifically designed to provide a rich and broad narrative, so that pupils are able to think critically for themselves, collaborate, and endeavour to search for their own truth, as lifelong learners in uncertain fields.
Our curriculum looks to encourage our students to value the opinions of others; not because they have been taught to do so, but because they have an academic understanding of the inherent nature of all human beings and their right to express their views.
The curriculum is deliberately structured to ensure all students gain the basic powerful knowledge required of them in Year 7. Through a vertical and cumulative structure, students build on these foundations. In Year 9, we deliberately work in the opportunity to segment the curriculum by examining pertinent contemporary issues which relate to the powerful knowledge our students have acquired. By looking at concepts such as authority, justice, morality, identity and ultimate realities, your daughter will be able to underpin religious and human experiences; at a time when communities are becoming more diverse, there is an even greater need for a religiously literate and tolerant society.
Religious Studies at HAB plays a key role in creating social cohesion and generating genuine understanding between communities reducing friction, intolerance and social unrest. The curriculum is designed in such a way to develop your daughter’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness.
The study of Religious Studies at HAB in Key Stage 5 is designed to help students master the art of academic essay writing, which is established in a wealth of knowledge in philosophy, ethics and religion to the extent that they can identify these ideas as the cornerstone of the society we live in. We provide opportunities that will aid towards pupil’s progression into further education, training or employment with a refined ethics and philosophical code of thought.
The curriculum plan for all years can be downloaded below.
