RE at Key Stage 3
Year 7
In year 7 girls will start the year by looking at communities and the idea of belonging. This will begin by considering what it means to be part of the Durham High School community before examining wider communities. These will include religious communities of the major world faiths. Key areas of study will include sacred scriptures, worship and celebration and what it means to live a faith. We introduce philosophy at this early stage to encourage inquiry. Girls will reflect upon questions of meaning and purpose in relation to their own lives and the lives of others. They will later have the opportunity to study Christianity and the life of Jesus in more depth. All girls will learn about various aspects of belief and consider their own beliefs in light of their learning
During the year we go on a visit to Durham Cathedral and a Sikh Gurdwara. This will enable the girls to learn about their local history, as well as look at how different religious communities live and worship. We also emphasise the Christian nature of our school community by holding a year group Communion Service followed by a party. Later in the year, girls will consider how people put faith into practice and will plan their own charity event.
Year 8
In year 8 girls begin by reflecting on what and who influence them. Girls consider the guidance given by Moses, Jesus and Aung San Suu Kyi and see how this could apply to their lives and the lives of other people. Discerning the greater sources of guidance for people is an important aspect of evaluation. Girls continue examining ethical issues in their study of animal rights. They study various faith responses as well as consider their own.
Later in the year girls consider their own identity and try to answer the question ‘Who am I?’ Girls also re-visit the Bible and examine some of the most important theological themes for Christians. They study the Islamic faith in some depth.
Year 9
Philosophical issues are central to the work studies in year 9. Girls begin by asking the question ‘Does God exist?’ and try to discover why some people agree and others disagree. Many people discount God because of science, evil and suffering and conflict between religions. Girls examine the claims and discover the various answers people have put forward.
Later in the year girls consider the significance of Jerusalem as a place of pilgrimage for Jews, Christians and Muslims. They try to understand the conflict there and how bridges are being built between communities.
Girls study what different religious groups believe happens when we die and consider reasons for believing in life after death. They look at the similarities and differences in religious beliefs and also evaluate their own beliefs.