Religion, Ethics & Philosophy

Religion, Ethics and Philosophy follows the National Curriculum’s requirements for Religious Education in schools but, as the name suggests, has a broader and more all-encompassing approach engaging students in discussions on a whole range of moral and ethical issues that impact on their world.

The REP department at Highgate Wood aims to engage, challenge, and promote acceptance of the different beliefs systems that exist in Great Britain today. Our curriculum is featured around the religious beliefs that represent the school community and encourages students to make sense of the six major world religions, even if they do not follow a faith themselves. We also investigate non-religious ethical beliefs systems that encourage students to compare and contrast views from a variety of different viewpoints.

Students study religion, ethics and philosophy by engaging in concepts such as the beliefs, teachings and practices of the six major world religions, views from different philosophers that range from Ancient Greek to post modern society and a range of ethical concepts that we face in modern society. By teaching how to analyse quotes, students learn to how to analyse evidence to support or contradict their own points of view. Considering the fundamental beliefs of religion and by applying these beliefs to modern ethical issues, encourages students to understand that faith is not always what it seems to be when portrayed in the media. REP also teaches students to communicate clearly, formulate their own arguments and to present them with supporting evidence from religious views in their extended writing.

Our hope for all our students is that studying a diverse and inclusive REP curriculum provides them with the cultural literacy needed to succeed in life and actively participate in the world with empathy. By reflecting on their personal views and how they compare with religious viewpoints, students learn to think critically and become independent thinkers. By challenging students, encouraging students to think outside of the box, we provide students the transferable skills they need to prepare them to become lifelong learners.

Through REP students explore and build their understanding of many of the world’s religions and beliefs, they also develop their understanding of faith and philosophy, morality and justice. All students study REP from Year 7 through to Year 11. All students will take the full GCSE course, where two papers will be sat at the end of Year 11.

Religion, Ethics and Philosophy, which is examined through the Religious Studies GCSE, is a subject which fosters respect and tolerance for the beliefs and values of others. In the world of work employers look for someone with an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints, an ability to come to clear, balanced decisions. These skills all develop through Religious Studies. If you want to work with people, in care work, teaching, journalism, publishing, policing, with children, health, catering, leisure and tourism or to work abroad in a cosmopolitan setting, Religious Studies will give you plenty to think about, and valuable expertise.

Unit 1 Topics are: Beliefs, teachings and practices of two Religions:

  • Christianity
  • Islam

Unit 2 Topics are: Religion & Life

  • Existence of God and Revelation
  • Religion, peace and conflict
  • Religion, crime and punishment

Philosophy

Philosophy is a highly valued A Level that develops students’ abilities in the use of rational argument and logical thinking. As well as helping students to become a critical thinker and allow them to ponder on life’s big questions, the course provides an excellent grounding for the study of any academic discipline at university. As an A-Level philosopher, they will be grappling with questions that many people take for granted. What is knowledge? What is reality? What is morality? What is beauty? The skills used in Philosophy (clear thinking and strong ability to read, interpret and argue your case) are very desirable to employers and university admissions tutors in all subjects.

Students are given a thorough grounding in the key concepts and methods of philosophy and will have the opportunity to engage with big questions in a secular content. During the course they will develop important skills that they need to progress onto higher education. They will learn to be clear and precise in their thinking and writing. Students will engage with complex texts, analysing and evaluating the arguments of others and constructing and defending their own arguments. Students will be taught the following topics for their exam at the end of the course:

  • Epistemology
  • Moral philosophy
  • Metaphysics of God
  • Metaphysics of mind
Key Stage 3

Through REP students explore and build their understanding of many of the world’s religions and beliefs, they also develop their understanding of faith and philosophy, morality and justice. All students study REP from Year 7 through to Year 11. All students will take the full GCSE course, where two papers will be sat at the end of Year 11.

Key Stage 4

Religion, Ethics and Philosophy, which is examined through the Religious Studies GCSE, is a subject which fosters respect and tolerance for the beliefs and values of others. In the world of work employers look for someone with an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints, an ability to come to clear, balanced decisions. These skills all develop through Religious Studies. If you want to work with people, in care work, teaching, journalism, publishing, policing, with children, health, catering, leisure and tourism or to work abroad in a cosmopolitan setting, Religious Studies will give you plenty to think about, and valuable expertise.

Unit 1 Topics are: Beliefs, teachings and practices of two Religions:

  • Christianity
  • Islam

Unit 2 Topics are: Religion & Life

  • Existence of God and Revelation
  • Religion, peace and conflict
  • Religion, crime and punishment
Key Stage 5

Philosophy

Philosophy is a highly valued A Level that develops students’ abilities in the use of rational argument and logical thinking. As well as helping students to become a critical thinker and allow them to ponder on life’s big questions, the course provides an excellent grounding for the study of any academic discipline at university. As an A-Level philosopher, they will be grappling with questions that many people take for granted. What is knowledge? What is reality? What is morality? What is beauty? The skills used in Philosophy (clear thinking and strong ability to read, interpret and argue your case) are very desirable to employers and university admissions tutors in all subjects.

Students are given a thorough grounding in the key concepts and methods of philosophy and will have the opportunity to engage with big questions in a secular content. During the course they will develop important skills that they need to progress onto higher education. They will learn to be clear and precise in their thinking and writing. Students will engage with complex texts, analysing and evaluating the arguments of others and constructing and defending their own arguments. Students will be taught the following topics for their exam at the end of the course:

  • Epistemology
  • Moral philosophy
  • Metaphysics of God
  • Metaphysics of mind

Additional Information

In the world of work employers look for someone with an enquiring mind, an appreciation of different viewpoints, an ability to come to clear, balanced decisions. These skills all develop through Religious Studies. If you want to work with people, in care work, teaching,  journalism, publishing, policing, with children, health, catering, leisure and tourism or to work abroad in a cosmopolitan setting, Religious Studies will give you plenty to think about, and valuable expertise.