---
title: "Religious Education"
url: "https://www.st-wilfrids.org/curriculum/subjects/religious-education"
school: "St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields"
---

# Religious Education

 ![Art &amp; Photography banner](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/images/RE.jpeg)

# Religious Education Curriculum

Exploring faith, values and the world around us

![Art and Photography](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/images/lo.png)

## Why study Religious Education?

### What RE develops

- Insight into diverse beliefs and cultures
- Your ability to question critically
- The skill of evaluation
- Sharpens your reasoning skills

### Student voice

“RE helps me to understand the views of others. I really enjoy taking part in debates as a class.”  **Joseph, Year 8**

- KS3 RE (Y7–9)
- KS4 RE
- KS5 Philosophy and Ethics

Key Stage 3 RE– Cycle Overview

Cycle 1

#### Year 7-  Creation and Covenant

#### Knowledge focus

- Branch 1: Creation and Covenant
- The Bible
- Creation
- Stewardship
- Religious Art
- Prayer

Branch 2: Prophecy and Promise

- Using the Bible
- Old Testament
- Catholic Sources of Authority
- Bible in Mass
- Book of Kells

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions
- Summative Assessment
    - 4x Key Words
    - 1x Describe
    - 1x Explain
    - 1x Evaluate Question

#### Key Vocabulary

Branch 1

- God
- Literal Sense
- Literary Form
- Creation
- Creationism
- Scientism
- Prayer
- Stewardship

Branch 2

- Revelation
- Scripture
- Tradition
- Magisterium
- Inspired
- Canon
- Tenakh
- Liturgy of the Word

#### Year 8

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 1: Creation and Covenant

- The Fall
- Moses and the Ten Commandments
- Conscience
- Baptism
- Love of neighbour

Branch 2: Prophecy and Promise

- Prophets - Jeremiah
- Amos
- Prophecies- warning and imagery
- Lay People
- Advent
- Christmas

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions
- Summative Assessment
- Key Words, Describe, Explain and Evaluate Question

#### Key Vocabulary

 Branch 2

- The Fall
- Original Sin
- Sinai Covenant
- Decalogue
- Freedom
- Responsibility
- Conscience
- Baptism

Branch 2

- Prophet
- Priest
- King
- Messianic
- Advent
- Amos
- Elijah
- John the Baptist

#### Year 9

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 1: Creation and Covenant

- Genesis and Humans
- Sanctity of Life
- Sacrament of Matrimony
- Ethical Issues- IVF, Euthanasia
- Human Trafficking

Branch 2: Prophecy and Promise

- Mary as the New Eve
- Women in the Old Testament
- Mary as a role model
- The Magnificat
- Marian Devotions

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions
- Summative Assessment
- Key Words, Describe, Explain and Evaluate Question

#### Key Vocabulary

 Branch 3

- Imago Dei
- Inalienable Dignity
- Human Person
- Relational
- Rational
- Volitional
- Sanctity of Life
- Sacrament of Matrimony

Branch 2

- Typology
- Protoevangelium
- Mother of God
- Immaculate Conception
- Our Lady
- New Eve
- Magnificat
- The Rosary

Cycle 2

#### Year 7

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem

- Incarnation
- Jesus’ Titles
- Trinity
- Trinity in Worship
- Trinity in Art

Branch 4: Desert to Garden

- Paschal Mystery
- Sacraments
- The Last Supper
- Eucharist
- Mass

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions

#### Key Vocabulary

Branch 3

- Incarnation
- Omnipotent
- Trinity
- Devotion
- Omnibenevolent
- Son of God
- Eschatology
- Monotheistic

Branch 4

- Paschal Mystery
- Sacrament
- Passover
- Eucharist
- Sacrifice of the Mass
- Transubstantiation
- Holy Communion
- Blessed Sacrament

#### Year 8

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem

- Kingdom of God
- Jesus and the marginalised
- Parables
- Miracles
- Lourdes

Branch 4: Desert to Garden

- Why do we suffer
- Meaning of suffering
- Jesus as a suffering servant
- Lent
- Easter Triduum

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions

#### Key Vocabulary

Branch 3

- Kingdom
- Moral Sense of Scripture
- Parables
- Miracles
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marginalisation
- Heaven
- Atonement

Branch 4

- Suffering Servant
- Passion
- Suffering
- Lent
- Problem of Evil
- Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Triduum
- Fasting, Almsgiving and Prayer

#### Year 9

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 3: Galilee to Jerusalem

- Mark’s Gospel
- The Call of the first disciples
- Discipleship
- Religious Life
- Ordination

Branch 4: Desert to Garden

- Sinai Covenant
- Jesus as the Lamb of God
- Sin
- Forgiveness
- Restorative Justice

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions

#### Key Vocabulary

Branch 3

- Discipleship
- Vocation
- Holy Orders
- Deacon, Priest, Bishop
- Religious Life
- Poverty
- Chastity
- Obedience

Branch 4

- Church
- Communion of Saints
- Church on Earth
- Church in Heaven
- Church being purified
- Saints
- Angels
- Purgatory

Cycle 3

#### Year 7

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 5: To the Ends of the Earth

- St Luke
- Holy Spirit
- The Church
- Confirmation
- Pentecost

Branch 6: Dialogue and Encounter

- Church Councils
- Denominations Ecumenism
- Interfaith Dialogue:
    - Introduction to Islam
    - Muhammad (PBUH)
    - Mosque
    - Five Pillars
    - Hajj
    - Eid

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions
- Summative Assessment – Key Words, Describe, Explain and Evaluate Question

#### Key Vocabulary

Year 7 Branch 5

- Holy Spirit
- Pentecost
- Ruah
- People of God
- Body of Christ
- Temple of the Holy Spirit
- Confirmation
- Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Branch 6

- Ecumenism
- Schism
- Dogma
- Christian Unity
- Muhammad (PBUH)
- Qur'an
- Mosque
- Five Pillars

#### Year 8

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 5: To the Ends of the Earth

- Resurrection
- Central Truth
- Catholic view of Life after Death
- Humanist view of Life after Death
- Resurrection in Art

Branch 6: Dialogue and Encounter

- Ecclesiam Suam
- Ukranian Greek Catholic Church
- Interfaith Dialogue:
    - -Hindu Symbols
    - -Hindu Places of Worship
    - -Diwali
    - -What is the Caste System
    - -Hindu Attitudes to Violence

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions
- Summative Assessment – Key Words, Describe, Explain and Evaluate Question

#### Key Vocabulary

Year 8 Branch 5

- Resurrection
- Death
- Heaven
- Hell
- Purgatory
- Judgement
- Funeral Rite
- Requiem

Branch 6

- Dialogue
- Proclamation
- Second Vatican Council
- Patrimony
- Brahman
- Deity
- Karma
- Polytheistic

#### Year 9

#### Knowledge focus

Branch 5: To the Ends of the Earth

- Church as the Body of Christ
- Church on Earth
- Church in Heaven
- Saints
- Angels

Branch 6: Dialogue and Encounter

- Common Good
- Religious Worldviews
- Interfaith Dialogue:
    - -Introduction to Judaism
    - -Almighty
    - -Messiah
    - -Abraham
    - -Moses
    - -Life after Death

#### Key skills

- Pupils receive 8 key terms at the start of every new unit and complete a full lesson on them, using whiteboards to test their knowledge and then a test in their books
- Pupils are expected to use these key terms throughout each unit and they build upon these, by practising describe, explain and evaluate questions
- They are also taught sources of wisdom and authority, such as Bible quotes and are expected to use these when describing, explaining or evaluating the key terms.

#### Assessment

- Assessment Booklet Questions
- Summative Assessment – Key Words, Describe, Explain and Evaluate Question

#### Key Vocabulary

Year 9 Branch 5

- Church
- Communion of Saints
- Church on Earth
- Church in Heaven
- Church being purified
- Saints
- Angels
- Purgatory

Branch 6

- Intercultural Dialogue
- Common Good
- Development of Society
- Worldview
- Synagogue
- Shabbat
- Torah
- Covenant

Key Stage 4 Religious Education

Cycle 1

#### Year 10- Judaism: Jewish Practices

#### Knowledge focus

Worship and Community

- Role of the Synagogue, prayer practices, Shabbat observance, and worship traditions.

Festivals and Holy Days

- Major Jewish festivals including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Passover.

Lifestyle and Law

- Keeping Kosher and other practices that guide daily life according to Jewish law

**FCT: Origins and Meaning**

Origins and Creation

- Creation of the universe (Big Bang), creation of life, evolution, and the Genesis accounts of God, humanity, and stewardship.

Ethics and Moral Issues

- The different views on Abortion

Human Responsibility

- Stewardship of creation and how these beliefs influence attitudes toward the environment and life.

#### Key skills

- Pupils are expected to use key terminology and refer to sources of wisdom and authority when describing, explaining or evaluating the key concepts.
- Pupils are encouraged to compare Catholic and Jewish beliefs across these areas.

#### Assessment

Cycle 1: Assessment

- Formative assessment style questions on **Jewish Practices** include:
    - Key terms
    - B, C, D questions
- **Summative Assessment on Jewish beliefs and practices**
- **Formative Assessment questions on Origins and Meaning**
    - Key terms
    - B and C question

#### Key Vocabulary

Jewish Practices:

- Synagogue
- Shekhinah
- Shabbat
- Kosher
- Torah
- Mitzvot
- Messiah
- Covenant

Origins and Meaning:

- Creation ex nihilo
- Transcendence
- Omnipotence
- Evolution
- Imago Dei
- Inspiration
- Revelation
- Stewardship

#### Year 11- ACT: Life and Death, ACT: Sin and Forgiveness

#### Knowledge focus

Death and Ethical Issues

- A good death, palliative care, euthanasia, and debates about legalising euthanasia.

Resurrection and Eschatology

- Did Jesus resurrect? Beliefs about resurrection of the body and soul, and the Four Last Things (death, judgment, heaven, hell).

Symbols and Artefacts

- Religious artefacts like sarcophagi and the Paschal candle, and their significance in Catholic tradition.

Funeral Practices and Worship

- Catholic funeral rites, music in funerals and worship, and prayers for the dead.

Authority and Teaching

- The role of the Magisterium and the Second Vatican Council in shaping Catholic beliefs and practices.

Crime and Justice

- Crime, aims of punishment, and ethical considerations around justice.

Forgiveness

- The role and importance of forgiveness in moral and religious contexts.

Capital Punishment

- Debates and perspectives on the use of the death penalty

#### Key skills

- Pupils are expected to use key terminology and refer to sources of wisdom and authority when describing, explaining or evaluating the key concepts.
- Pupils are encouraged to compare different beliefs in D style questions

#### Assessment

- Formative assessment style questions on life and death including:
    - Key terms test
    - B, C, D questions
    - Summative Prelim Exam on FCT content
- Formative assessment style question on sin and forgiveness including:
    - Key terms test
    - B and C question

#### Key Vocabulary

 Life and Death:

- Death
- Eternal life
- Heaven
- Hell
- Judgment
- Magisterium
- Resurrection
- Soul

Sin and Forgiveness:

- Absolutism
- Eucharist
- Evangelisation
- Forgiveness
- Punishment
- Relativism
- Salvation
- Sin

Cycle 2

#### Year 10- FCT: Origins and Meaning

#### Knowledge focus

Sacred Texts and Symbolism

- What the Bible is, the Image of God concept, symbolism like the Tree of Life, and Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.

Ethics and Moral Issues

- Catholic Social Teaching, and perspectives from Humanism and Peter Singer.

Interfaith and Dialogue

- The role and importance of interfaith dialogue in promoting understanding between religions.

#### Key skills

- Pupils are expected to use key terminology and refer to sources of wisdom and authority when describing, explaining or evaluating the key concepts.
- Pupils are encouraged to compare Catholic and Jewish beliefs across these areas.

#### Assessment

- Formative assessment style questions include:
    - B, C, D questions
- Summative Assessment on Origins and Meaning
- Good and Evil
    - Key Terms
    - B and C question

#### Key Vocabulary

Good and Evil

- Conscience
- Evil
- Free Will
- Goodness
- Incarnation
- Natural Law
- Privation
- Suffering

#### Year 11- ACT: Sin and Forgiveness continued

Salvation and Redemption

- Beliefs about redemption, salvation, and the Paschal Mystery.

Heaven, Hell, and Inclusivity

- Can hell exist? Can non-Christians be saved? Catholic views on eternal destiny.

Sacraments and Worship

- The seven sacraments, especially the Eucharist—its beliefs and importance.

Church and Community

- The Body of Christ, the Four Marks of the Church, Mary as a model, church architecture and interior design.

Mission and Tradition

- Evangelisation, UK Catholic traditions, and festivals.

#### Key skills

- Pupils are expected to use key terminology and refer to sources of wisdom and authority when describing, explaining or evaluating the key concepts.
- Pupils are encouraged to compare different beliefs in D style questions

#### Assessment

- Sin and Forgiveness
    - B and C questions
- Prelim Exam on ACT content
- Mixture of C and D style questions in the lead up to GCSE External Examination

#### Key Vocabulary

Sin and Forgiveness:

- Absolutism
- Eucharist
- Evangelisation
- Forgiveness
- Punishment
- Relativism
- Salvation
- Sin

Cycle 3

#### Year 10- Good and Evil

#### Knowledge focus

Evil and Suffering

- Sources of Evil
- The Problem of Evil &amp; Theodicies
- Free Will Defence &amp; Mackie
- Jewish Beliefs about Evil

Authority and Tradition

- Magisterium Augustine
- St. Paul
- Scripture: Job &amp; Jesus

Christian Beliefs

- The Trinity
- The Incarnation &amp; Kenosis

Jesus’ Teachings and Moral Principles

- Jesus’ Teachings: Beatitudes &amp; Sermon on the Mount
- Natural Law, Conscience, Virtues

Worship and Practice

- Worship with Statues &amp; Pieta
- Rosary &amp; Pilgrimage

#### Key skills

- Pupils are expected to use key terminology and refer to sources of wisdom and authority when describing, explaining or evaluating the key concepts.
- Pupils are encouraged to compare Catholic and Jewish beliefs across these areas.

#### Assessment

- Key terms test
- D style question

Mock Examination

- B and C question

####

#### Year 11-Revision and External Examinations

####

Key Stage 5 Philosophy and Ethics

Cycle 1

#### Year 12

#### Knowledge focus

- Ancient philosophical influences
- Soul, mind &amp; body
- Arguments for God (observation)
- Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Utilitarianism

#### Key Skills

- Philosophical analysis; argument evaluation; ethical application; interpreting theology; extended writing.

**Assessment**

- Cycle assessments; essays; recall tests; end-of-year exam.

#### Key Vocabulary

- Forms
- Dualism
- Teleology
- Deontology
- Empiricism
- A priori
- Theodicy
- Revelation

#### Year 13

#### Knowledge focus

- Jesus Christ
- Knowledge of God’s existence
- Christian moral principles &amp; action

#### Key skills

- Advanced evaluation; applying ethics to complex cases; comparative theology; political theology; synoptic essays.

#### Assessment

- Cycle assessments; essays; recall tests; end-of-year exam.

#### Key Vocabulary

- Via Negativa
- Verificationism
- Omnipotence
- Eschatology
- Pluralism
- Secularism
- Liberation
- Intuitionism

Cycle 2

#### Year 12

#### Knowledge focus

- Problem of evil
- Arguments for God (reason)
- Religious experience
- Euthanasia, Business ethics, Kantian Ethics

#### Key Skills

- Philosophical analysis; argument evaluation; ethical application; interpreting theology; extended writing.

**Assessment**

- Cycle assessments; essays; recall tests; end-of-year exam.

#### Key Vocabulary

- Forms
- Dualism
- Teleology
- Deontology
- Empiricism
- A priori
- Theodicy
- Revelation

#### Year 13

#### Knowledge focus

Philosophy, Ethics &amp; DCT:

- Arguments for God (reason)
- Religious experience
- Problem of evil
- Sexual ethics
- Meta-ethics
- Conscience
- Gender &amp; society/theology
- Liberation theology &amp; Marx

#### Key skills

- Advanced evaluation; applying ethics to complex cases; comparative theology; political theology; synoptic essays.

#### Assessment

- Cycle assessments; essays; recall tests; end-of-year exam.

#### Key Vocabulary

- Via Negativa
- Verificationism
- Omnipotence
- Eschatology
- Pluralism
- Secularism
- Liberation
- Intuitionism

Cycle 3

#### Year 12

#### Knowledge focus

- Developments in Christian Thought
- Augustine’s teaching on human nature - Jesus Christ
- Knowledge of God’s existence
- Christian moral principles and action

#### Key Skills

- Philosophical analysis; argument evaluation; ethical application; interpreting theology; extended writing.

**Assessment**

- Cycle assessments; essays; recall tests; end-of-year exam.

#### Key Vocabulary

- Forms
- Dualism
- Teleology
- Deontology
- Empiricism
- A priori
- Theodicy
- Revelation

#### Year 13

#### Knowledge focus

Cycle 3 – Philosophy &amp; DCT:
• Attributes of God
• Religious language
• Augustine
• Afterlife
• Secularism
• Pluralism

#### Key skills

- Advanced evaluation; applying ethics to complex cases; comparative theology; political theology; synoptic essays.

#### Assessment

- Cycle assessments; essays; recall tests; end-of-year exam.

#### Key Vocabulary

- Via Negativa
- Verificationism
- Omnipotence
- Eschatology
- Pluralism
- Secularism
- Liberation
- Intuitionism

**[For Key Stage 5 Curriculum information please click link here to our Sixth Form Curriculum](https://st-wilfrid-s-rc-college-south-shields.schudio.com/sixth-form)**

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