Secondary RE Syllabus

Although each RE syllabus is drawn up and agreed locally, there is considerable agreement between them. Much of this agreement is based on the QCA Model Syllabuses.

This section gives an integrated list of the areas in the two Model Syllabuses where Religion and the Environment are relevant. It is not definitive but it does reflect the emphases made by the syllabuses for study at each key stage.

We welcome your insights. If you'd like to share examples of your own teachings, or make any comments, please do contact us.

Skip to the RE Syllabus for Key Stage 4

KEY STAGE 3 (11-14 years old): Key Teachings and Focus

BUDDHISM

  • The Buddha - Stories from the life of the Buddha, e.g. Enlightenment
  • Buddhist Teaching - Way to wisdom and compassion: 5 Moral Precepts, 4 Noble Truths, 8-Fold Path
  • The Buddhist - Community. Different responsibilities of all Buddhists / ordained Buddhists

HINDU DHARMA

  • Concepts, Truths & Values - Beliefs about the universe
  • Family, Community & Traditions - Identity and responsibility
  • Scriptures - Relevance of scriptures. Moral stories

ISLAM

  • TAWHID (Oneness of Allah) - One True God, Creator and Provider, giving guidance through messengers and books
  • IMAN (Faith) - Judgement
  • AKHLAQ (Character and Moral conduct) - Islamic ethics. Activities and beliefs in social life

JUDAISM

  • GOD - Elements of belief: judgement, forgiveness, gratitude
  • TORAH - Jewish Law
  • PEOPLE AND THE LAND - Jewish identity expressed through traditions and relationship to history/land

SIKH DHARAM

  • BELIEFS & VALUES - God as the One Truth - implication for Sikh values
  • THE GURUS - Implications of teaching for contemporary society
  • PRACTICES - Sikh way of life: attitudes to contemporary issues

CHRISTIANITY

  • GOD - Nature and activity of God: expressions of God in art, symbols etc. Understanding God: various ways, e.g. studying teachers and writing, art, music, etc.
  • JESUS - Incarnation - different understandings of death & resurrection. Salvation - Jesus as giver of new life
  • CHURCH - Church as 'Body of Christ', Holy Spirit - in worship, Christian experiences of worship
  • BIBLE - Role and authority of Bible in church and personal belief and practice
  • CHRISTIAN WAYS OF LIFE - The human condition: Made in God's image - the implications; the Fall. Example of Jesus Discipleship: personal and corporate commitment - love, forgiveness and service

KEY STAGE 3: Learning Experiences - All Faiths - Suggested Activities

Visit

  • Talk to representatives of faith communities about what they believe is right / wrong

Wider World

  • Visit / watch video about places of worship / pilgrim sites / other special sites

People

  • Explore lives of key people in religion studied. Talk to members of religions

Ethics

  • Watch film about world poverty / environmental problems. Study moral teachings

KEY STAGE 4 (14-16 years old): Key Teachings and Focus

BUDDHISM

  • Buddha - Buddha as supreme example
  • Buddhist Teaching - Nirvana: purpose of human life. Implications for contemporary issues
  • The Buddhist Community - Working towards enlightenment

HINDU DHARMA

  • Concepts, Truths & Values - Philosophy, relation to other Indian religions
  • Family, Community & Traditions - Self-discipline
  • Worship - Pilgrimage

ISLAM

  • TAWHID (Oneness of Allah) - Attributes of Allah; Tawhid as basis for all thought and practice
  • IBADAH (Worship/belief in action) - Political, economic and social aspects of Islam
  • AKHLAQ (Character and Moral conduct) - Contemporary issues

JUDAISM

  • GOD - God in history; emulating God's ways
  • TORAH - Torah / rabbinic principles in contemporary issues

SIKH DHARAM

  • BELIEFS & VALUES - Attributes of God; living to God's will
  • THE GURUS - Attitudes to contemporary issues. Guru guidance
  • PRACTICES - Sikh guide to life: environment, inter-faith dialogue

CHRISTIANITY

  • GOD - Nature and activity of God: different experiences; use of metaphor
  • JESUS - Incarnation - Messianic kingdom as present, eternal life. Salvation - Jesus' teaching on judgement
  • CHURCH - 'Body of Christ' - Church's impact on society; working together
  • BIBLE - Different Biblical material , e.g. Prophecy, psalms. Use of Bible as basis for theology or personal action
  • CHRISTIAN WAYS OF LIFE - Fulfilling the will of God, applying Bible to human life, literary and artistic examples of faith

KEY STAGE 4: Learning Experiences - All Faiths - Suggested Activities

Visit

  • Visit / watch videos about special places /pilgrim sites

People

  • Talk with representatives of faith communities about their beliefs

Wider World

  • Experience and reflect on natural world / science and religion

Ethics

  • Listen to activist members of faith communities talking about environmental dilemmas

Relevant Links