Religions, Philosophy & Ethics

Curriculum Intent

At The Eastbourne Academy, Religions, Philosophy & Ethics (RE) is an important subject in our curriculum, reflecting our values of curiosity, ambition, respect, and engagement. Our curriculum intent for Religions, Philosophy & Ethics is to enable our students to develop cultural capital by understanding and interpreting religious issues, which are frequently discussed in the news.

Schools have a statutory responsibility to deliver Religious Education (RE) to all students, and therefore it is a necessary part of a broad and balanced curriculum and must be provided for all registered students in state-funded schools in England. Our curriculum is underpinned by evidence-informed teaching and learning.

Curriculum Implementation

We recognise that our curriculum goes beyond what happens in the classroom, and is a broad term that encompasses our wider offer.

Our Knowledge Curriculum: Ambition in the Classrooms

In Key Stage 3, students study Religions, Philosophy & Ethics for 1 hour per week and follow the Kent Agreed Syllabus.

In Key Stage 4, students study Core Religions, Philosophy & Ethics for 1 hour per week. Students follow the AQA GCSE Short Course for Religious Studies and at the end of Year 11 they have the opportunity to gain a Short Course GCSE Religious Studies qualification.

In Key Stage 4, Religions, Philosophy & Ethics is also offered as a full course option subject. Students follow the AQA GCSE Full Course for Religious Studies and at the end of Year 11 they have the opportunity to gain a Full Course GCSE Religious Studies qualification.

Our Character Curriculum: Ambitious Individual

Through Religions, Philosophy & Ethics, our students learn to evaluate the significance of diverse beliefs and opinions, promoting personal development and an understanding of spiritual, moral, social, and cultural questions. This subject challenges stereotypes, promotes cohesion, and tackles extremism, helping our students to value themselves and the communities they live in.

By entering into a rich discourse about religious and non-religious traditions, Religions, Philosophy & Ethics enables our students to take their place in a diverse multi-religious and multi-secular society. It is intellectually challenging and personally enriching, providing our students with the opportunity to make sense of their own place in the world. It aims to unlock and nurture the broad range of worldviews in order to recognise and maximise each student’s potential.

Our Cultural Curriculum: Ambition Beyond our Classrooms

Trips to local places of worship are offered at KS3 whilst trips in KS4 include Brighton Buddhist temple and Hove Reform Synagogue, ‘behind the scenes’ at a crematorium, the Hastings True Crime Museum, Brighton Crown Court, a possible trip to Lewes Prison and a trip to Krakow, Poland.