Mrs I Stacpoole
Head of Beliefs and Values
Beliefs and Values at Honiton Community College
Throughout the Key Stages, Beliefs & Values makes an important contribution to the overall school curriculum. It develops students’ knowledge and understanding, not only of the beliefs that religious and non-religious people hold, but also exploring the practices and traditions that influence individuals, communities, societies, and culture.
Beliefs & Values at Honiton Community College follows the Devon and Torbay Agreed Syllabus and provokes challenging questions about the meaning and purpose in life, beliefs about God, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It enables students to develop their ideas, values, and identities and to help them develop a constructive aptitude for dialogue so that they can participate positively in society. It helps to develop responsibility and respect for all aspects of diversity – social, cultural, and religious. The overarching concepts for Beliefs & Values at Honiton Community College are tied in with the school’s vision of empowering our pupils to develop their own solutions and shape their own futures so that each child will achieve his or her full potential both academically and socially.
Key Stages and Curriculum Maps
We are committed to equality and diversity and continue to work towards a fully inclusive curriculum.
All students have one lesson a fortnight. At KS3 we have a varied curriculum which takes a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Beliefs and Values, encompassing units of work in theology, philosophy, and sociology.
At KS4 students who have selected GCSE Religious Studies will follow the AQA A Specification. The course explores two religions in depth - Buddhism & Christianity and covers several contemporary themes such as Human Rights and Social Justice. The course develops pupils’ critical thinking and evaluation skills, allowing them to consider and debate key issues in today’s society. Pupils are challenged on questions about beliefs, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards ethical and religious issues.
What will I learn and how will I be assessed?
Paper 1
In depth study of religions: beliefs, teachings, and practices Buddhism and Christianity
- Written examination 102 marks
- Weighting – 50%
- 1hour 45 minutes
Paper 2
Thematic studies: Existence of God & Revelation, Crime & Punishment, Peace & Conflict, Human Rights & Social Justice
- Written examination 102 marks
- Weighting – 50%
- 1hour 45 minutes
Core RS
Alongside the optional GCSE course all pupils study core RS once a fortnight which is non-examined. The aims of core RS are to explore major moral and ethical issues within today’s society such as medical ethics, questions about life and death and human rights. This gives students the opportunity to explore topics outside the GCSE specification that are thought provoking whilst also building on knowledge required for the GCSE.
KEY STAGE 3
KEY STAGE 4
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