Non-statutory Guidance on RE in the New Secondary Curriculum of 2007

The National Curriculum for England at Key Stages 3 and 4 was first published by the (then) QCA in 2007; implementation started in September 2008. RE was included as a statutory subject with non-statutory guidance.

Non-statutory Guidance on RE at Key Stages 3 and 4:

The Programmes of study cover five areas:

• Importance [LINK to C3]
• Key concepts:
  • Beliefs, teachings and sources;
  • Practices and ways of life;
  • Expressing meaning;
  • Identity, diversity and belonging;
  • Meaning, purpose and truth;
  • Values and commitments.
• Key processes:
  • Learning about religion;
  • Learning from religion.
• Range and content:
  At Key Stage 3, the study of RE should include:
  • Christianity;
  • at least two other principal religions;
  • a religious community of local significance, where appropriate;
  • a secular world view, where appropriate.
  All can be taught through the following themes:
  • beliefs and concepts;
  • authority;
  • religion and science;
  • expressing spirituality;
  • ethics and relationships;
  • rights and responsibilities;
  • global issues;
  • interfaith dialogue
  At Key Stage 4, the study of RE should include one or more of:
  • opportunities to study Christianity, either directly as a religion or indirectly through philosophical or ethical issues, or both;
  • opportunities to study one or more other principal religions, either directly as religions or indirectly through philosophical or ethical issues, or both;
  • opportunities to study a range of philosophical and ethical issues that are of relevance to young people's experience or aspirations and that make reference to some religious and philosophical traditions.
• Curriculum opportunities: At Key Stage 3, the curriculum should provide opportunities for pupils to:
  • encounter people from different religious, cultural and philosophical groups, able to express a range of convictions;
  • visit places of major religious significance;
  • use ICT to enhance understanding of religion;
  • discuss, question and evaluate important issues;
  • reflect upon and carefully evaluate their own and others' beliefs;
  • use a range of forms of expression to communicate their ideas and responses;
  • explore the connections between RE and other subject areas.
  At Key Stage 4, the curriculum should provide opportunities for students to:
  • access the sources, images and sounds that are key to their study, using texts and ICT as appropriate;
  • discuss, explore and question concepts, images and practices;
  • visit places of worship, inter-faith centres or other centres, observing or taking part in worship or rituals, as appropriate;
  • discuss, reflect on and develop arguments about philosophical and ethical issues;
  • engage in community projects, dialogue or social action, reflecting on its importance for themselves and others;
  • encounter people from different religious, cultural and philosophical groups, able to express a range of convictions on religious and moral issues;
  • evaluate concepts, practices and issues;
  • use a range of forms of expression to communicate their ideas and responses, including exploring and recording how their thoughts, feelings and experiences have changed;
  • explore the connections between RE and other subject areas.

Full text for Key Stage 3

Full text for Key Stage 4

Until a new curriculum is in place, information on the whole secondary curriculum and the different subjects can be found at:
curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-3-and-4/index.aspx

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