STRETFORD HIGH SCHOOL ROADMAP 2014/15 Year 7 (Religious Studies)

ACADEMIC SCHOOL : Humanities and Social Sciences

TERM 1 (14 lessons) TERM 2 (12 lessons) TERM 3 (13 lessons)

FOCUS : ‘Where do we look for God?’ Students will explore key religious beliefs for 3 major faiths (Christianity, Islam and Hinduism), investigating how people pray, where they pray, and the sacred texts they use. Students also explore their own understanding of the existence of religion, with a focus on the arguments on the existence of God (design and causation). Alongside the religious perspective, students will develop an understanding of why some people do not believe in God, with key figures such as Richard Dawkins and Brian Cox.

FOCUS: ‘Nirvana’ Students will investigate the key tenets of faith within the Buddhist way of life, focusing on the origins of Buddhism, through to nirvana and enlightenment, right up until the Buddha’s death. The key focus for the students will be how Buddhists practice their way of life in the 21st Century, and the influences it will have on their everyday lives. Students will investigate the 4 Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the concept of Suffering in Buddhism. Each student will identify and relate a small aspect of Buddhism to themselves, through the understanding of pain Vs contentment.

FOCUS: ‘Life as a Sikh’ Students will explore the fourth largest faith in the world today. Through the life of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, students will begin to appreciate the qualities of living as a Sikh, and its impact upon the daily life. We will examine Sikhism through daily life, from the dress code to wearing of the 5 K’s and the need to evaluate outer symbols of faith today. Year 7 students will visit the Sikh Gurdwara in Whalley Range to meet a Granthi, see the rituals taking place with the Guru Granth Sahib, and witness Ardas (Sikh worship).

CONTEXT Students reflect on, express and justify their own opinions in light of their learning about and from religion and their study of religious, philosophical, moral and spiritual questions. They develop their own values and attitudes in order to recognise their rights and responsibilities in light of their learning about and from religions and beliefs. They relate their learning to the wider world.

CONTEXT The National Curriculum explores the need for SMSC to run throughout the RE curriculum, allowing students to ‘reflect on, express and justify their own opinions in light of their learning about and from religion and their study of religious, philosophical, moral and spiritual questions’. This coincides well with the SoW on Buddhism, as many views are questioned and misinterpretations of Buddhism in the media are evaluated.

CONTEXT According to the National Statutory Guideliness, students will be able to link religion to their own lives, and also learn outside the classroom through the visit to the Gurdwara, and meeting members of the Sikh faith. This will allow pupils the chance to interact with different religions and non­religious groups locally, and deepen their understanding of the way in which Sikhism works in modern day Britain.

STRETFORD HIGH SCHOOL ROADMAP 2014/15 Year 7 (Religious Studies)

ACADEMIC SCHOOL : Humanities and Social Sciences

OUTCOME To know the cosmological argument by St. Thomas Aquinas and develop an understanding of the principles of cause and effect used by St.Thomas Aquinas. To understand the significance and relevance of holy books in the 21st century. To understand how Paley connect the pocket watch to the existence of God. To investigate how prayer helps connect people together, with an understanding of why there are so many differing views about God. To appreciate the diversity of beliefs in our world.

OUTCOME To be able to identify key language and ideas about Siddhartha Gautama and Buddhism. To understand the meaning of the 4 Noble Truths and explain why Buddhists would find the path helpful during their lives. To be able to apply real life examples to the Eightfold Path. To understand and evaluate suffering and it’s need in the world. To understand the Middle Way path in everyday life. To be able to reflect upon the philosophical idea of happiness, and explore perceptions of happiness for others.

OUTCOME To be able to identify the founder of Sikhism, and know how Sikhism started. To understand what the Mool Mantra means, and write their own Mool Mantra. To be able to explain the beginnings of the Khalsa, and to know the 5 K’s of Sikhism. To understand the significance of the 5 K’s for Sikhs. To explore the Gurdwara and its uses through each of the roles and rituals within the place of worship.