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Philosophy & Ethics

Welcome to the Philosophy & Ethics Department

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."  - Albert Einstein

Head of Department:

Ms Stephenson
e-mail: nstephenson12.310@parkhighstanmore.org.uk

Our vision is to provide students with a platform to contribute to the Park High Community and wider society positively and confidently through a mutual understanding of respect and tolerance of religion and worldviews.   

As a department we strive to develop successful individuals who are spiritually aware and have a moral, social, and cultural understanding of themselves and each other. We encourage students to be the best version of themselves, encouraging them to engage in platforms for open communication by having discussions which allow them to formulate their own judgements and opinions, based on a critical analysis of religion, belief, and practice. Students will grow with integrity and strive to live their lives true to their core beliefs. Positive learner behaviours are encouraged through challenging activities which encourage the students to reflect on their own values. By implementing key skills such as teamwork through activities, curiosity through the exploration of questions and compassion through discussion, in alignment with Park High School character virtues we invest in our students to be confident and successful learners prepared for further study or employment.  

Key Stage 3

In Years 7, 8 and 9 our curriculum is informed by the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE). Our provision develops students' knowledge and understanding of the world’s diversity through the teaching of different religious beliefs, teachings and practices of world religions. This includes the exploration of traditions observed in religions such as Hinduism and Jainism, before interpreting religious arts and symbols. By exploring Philosophy and ethics through the enquiry of different religious and worldviews, we encourage students to be respectful and open-minded individuals, through the exploration of concepts presented by Philosophers such as Plato and Machiavelli students can analyse the impact of religion within society and not just within religious communities. At Key Stage 3 students are challenged to evaluate ‘big questions’ and develop the skill of enquiry. Such opportunity provides students with the ability to reflect on their own character and develop an understanding of how individual character through beliefs and attitudes fits into society.  

Year 7

In Year 7, students begin their learning journey by considering the concept of identity, diversity and belonging answering the overarching question, ‘what makes me, me?’. This encourages students to reflect on their own beliefs, rights, and responsibilities by engaging them in a variety of philosophical and ethical dilemmas. Once students have cultivated these essential skills, they will begin to explore religious practices to varying ways of life and religious imagery to reflect on questions such as ‘Why are some journeys special?’ and ‘How is belief expressed through art?’. By exploring the purpose, value and meaning of rituals, students are given the opportunity to reflect upon their own understanding and practices of events such as weddings and funerals.

Autumn Spring Summer

What makes me, me? 

What is the Purpose of Rituals? 

What is the Purpose of Rituals? 

How is belief expressed through art? 

How is belief expressed through art? 

Why are some journeys special? 

Assessment

2 x summative assessments (ext. writing and end of unit assessment.) 

1 x Formative Assessment 

2 x summative assessments (ext. writing and end of unit assessment.) 

1 x Formative Assessment 

1 x summative assessments (Spirited Arts Competition. Creative project competition entry using drawing, painting, video, sculpture or other media.) 

1 x Formative Assessment 

Each unit across year 7 consists of a range of formative and summative assessments by way of quizzes, short-knowledge tests, and extended writing tasks throughout the academic year.

Home learning is allocated on a weekly basis on Teams. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research, or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify and extend it their learning.

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Year 8

In Year 8, students start by exploring concepts relating to prejudice and discrimination. This unit reminds our young people to empathise with others and challenge negative stereotypes. Students will also learn about religious pluralism in Britain. They will be encouraged to think about the questions that comes with having a diverse mix of minority faiths in Britain. Through the exploration of rights, responsibilities and political philosophy students are encouraged to consider what the ideal form of governance should look like and are enabled to develop their critical thinking and evaluative skills. Finally, students will learn about examples of inspirational people from a variety of backgrounds and faiths who have had a significant impact on the world. They will be asked to reflect on what makes them so inspirational, what challenges they have faced, in some cases how their faith has led them to overcome injustice, and why they continue to inspire us today.

Autumn Spring Summer

What is prejudice and discrimination? 

What other faiths are in our community? 

What other faiths are in our community? 

Why do we need government? 

Why do we need government? 

Why are some people inspirational? 

Assessment

2 x summative assessments (ext. writing and end of unit assessment.) 

1 x Formative Assessment

2 x summative assessments (ext. writing and end of unit assessment.) 

1 x Formative Assessment

1 x summative assessments (Speech on who they think is the most inspirational person they have studied presented to the class.) 

1 x Formative Assessment 

Each unit across year 8 consists of a range of formative and summative assessments by way of quizzes, short-knowledge tests, and extended writing tasks throughout the academic year.

Home learning is allocated on a weekly basis on Teams. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research, or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify and extend it their learning.

Knowledge Organisers:

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Year 9

In Year 9, students start by investigating different religious and philosophical theories about the existence of God(s). By considering and evaluating each theory, students will gain a greater understanding of religious belief whilst enabling them to question and explore their own beliefs about the world around them. They will then move onto exploring, assessing, and contrasting the concept of morality from religious /non-religious perspectives with both ancient and modern philosophical theories. Building upon their learning from the previous units, students will then explore how religious thought has developed throughout history with a focus on Christianity. Students will be asked to consider how these beliefs have changed over time before critically assessing the impact the Christian worldview has had upon western society by considering the ideas of philosophers and theologians from the early church through to the modern era.

Units of learning:

  1. Philosophy of Religion
  2. Religion and Ethics
  3. Developments in Christian Thought
Autumn Spring Summer

Philosophy of Religion

Religion and Ethics

Developments in Christian Thought

Assessment

2 x summative assessments (ext. writing and end of unit assessment.) 

1 x Formative Assessment 

2 x summative assessments (ext. writing and end of unit assessment.) 

1 x Formative Assessment

2 x summative assessments (ext. writing and end of unit assessment.) 

1 x Formative Assessment 

Each unit across year 8 consists of a range of formative and summative assessments by way of quizzes, short-knowledge tests, and extended writing tasks throughout the academic year.

Home learning is allocated on a weekly basis on Teams. It may be an isolated piece of work, a project, research, or an alternative task which challenges the students to solidify and extend it their learning.

Key Stage 4

Through the study of a compulsory CORE Philosophy and Ethics provision, students are given the opportunity to apply conceptual knowledge of religion and worldviews into real life ethical issues through the exploration of concepts such as religion and conflict, medicine and the state. 

Students who choose the GCSE as a preference follow the WJEC/Eduqas – Religious Studies specification. Students study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity and Sikhism, in addition to key theme which include; relationships, life and death, human rights and good and evil to reflect the diversity of the cohort within the school.   

Year 10 and 11

Component 1:

Philosophy and Ethics Theme 1: Relationships

Philosophy and Ethics Theme 2: Life and Death

Philosophy and Ethics Theme 3: Good and Evil

Philosophy and Ethics Theme 4: Human Rights

Component 2:

Beliefs, Teachings, Practices - Christianity

Component 3:

Beliefs, Teachings, Practices - Sikhism

KS4 Assessment:

All students who follow this course will be given on a regular basis.  Wider reading is always useful either from the websites offered, the text book or as directed by their classroom teacher.

In the Summer Term of year 10, each student will sit a formal, internal exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course.  Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

GCSE Religious Studies

Component 1: Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World

Written examination: 2 hours 50% of qualification

Component 2: Study of Christianity

Written examination: 1 hour 25% of qualification

Component 3: Study of Sikhism

Written examination: 1 hour 25% of qualification

Examination Board:

Eduqas

Course Specification:

OCR J621   GCSE Religious Studies B: Philosophy and Applied Ethics (Full Course)

WJEC Eduqas   GCSE Religious Studies Route A, Components 1, 2, 3

Qualification obtained:

GCSE Religious Studies

 
Useful Reading Material:

Eduqas Route A WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies

My Revision Notes WJEC Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies Route A: Covering Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Judaism

Additional Information

Enrichment

Students are offered a range of extra-curricular opportunities such as trips to, the local Gurdwara and the Houses of Parliament.