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 Buddhas
death. The key focus for the students will be how
Buddhists practice their way of life in the 21
st

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 Ks 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
non-religious 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 21
st
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 its
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 Ks of Sikhism.

To understand the significance of the 5 Ks for
Sikhs.

To explore the Gurdwara and its uses through
each of the roles and rituals within the place of
worship.