Head of Department
Ms K. Modha
Ms Shiekha
Primary
Ark Academy and the pupils it serves belong to the most diverse borough in Europe – the borough of Brent. The community encompasses wide ranging religious traditions and belief systems. We aim - with our pupils - to celebrate this diversity so pupils play a positive part in this cultural synthesis. We intend for RE to contribute more than ‘cultural capital’ to our curriculum. Alongside this, our religious education curriculum intends to support the development of our pupils to be responsible citizens of the future.
Year 1
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Where did the world come from? | |
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Big Questions Beliefs about where the world came from Jewish story of creation Hindu's story of creation |
What do others believe about where the world came from? What do others say about where the world came from? What do you think about where the world came from? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Who do we thank? | |
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What makes our world ‘wonderful’? How do some Christians celebrate Harvest? How do some Jewish people celebrate Harvest? |
How do some Hindus say thank you? Are people more important than animals? Why should we be grateful and careful for our world? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| How do we know they are special? | |
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What makes a person special? How can we show that a person is special though pictures? Who was Jesus? How can we tell from the Nativity story that Christians believe Jesus is special? |
What makes Muhammad special to Muslims? How do the birth stories show that Sikhs believe Guru Nanak is special? How might the birth stories of an avatar help Hindus try to be better people? |
All Year 1 subjects Next Year 1 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 2
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How do people show their beliefs and values? | |
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How can we show our identity? What do the symbols that some Christians wear mean? What do Jewish people wear to show their beliefs about God? |
How do Sikh symbols show what is important to them? How do some Muslims dress to show they belong to their community? Why must we always show respect to others for what they choose to wear? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| What makes us human? | |
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Who am I? When am I? Where does life come from? |
How might some believers look after their souls? What is a human? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Why do we celebrate births? | |
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Where do some people believe we come from? Who is the most important person at an infant baptism? What is most important about baptism for a Christian? How do Hindus celebrate new life? |
How do Muslims celebrate new life? Why is a name so important? How else might people celebrate the birth of new babies? Why is important to celebrate births? |
All Year 2 subjects Next Year 2 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 3
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| What makes a building sacred? | |
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Why do different communities need a special place? How does the church help Christians connect with God? How does the church help Christians connect with each other? How are the pillars of Islam shown in a Mosque? |
How do the features of a Gurdwara support the Sikh belief in equality? How are key Jewish beliefs shown in the Synagogue? How do Hindus worship in the mandir? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Can anywhere be sacred? | |
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Where can Muslims pray? Why might believers worship at home? How else might believers show their commitment to God in their home? |
Can anywhere be sacred? Where do you feel safe? Why? Where do you feel happy? Why? Where is special to me? Where is a special place for believers to go? What makes this place special? What makes some places sacred? Why do people pray? Should religious buildings be sold to feed the starving? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| What happens if we do wrong? | |
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What is meant by the soul? What happens when we die? |
Why might the caste system be a positive chance to help those in society? How can hell be helpful? |
All Year 3 subjects Next Year 3 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 4
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| How do we know what is right and wrong? | |
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What does the Torah tell us about Jewish people? Do the laws mean the same to all Jewish people? Was Jesus teaching something new? What does the Torah tell |
Does Islam expect the same values and behaviour as the ‘people of the book’? What values are important to Sikhs? Are religions teaching the same values? Can religious teachings be valuable to everyone? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Why does there have to be good and bad in the world? | |
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Who is to blame for bringing ‘sin’ into the world? Why are people tempted to do bad? Who is to blame for temptation? |
Is all suffering in life caused by a battle between good and bad? What would life be like without evil? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Is there evidence of a God on Earth? | |
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How can nature be evidence for God? What was Jesus like? Who was Jesus? Why is Jesus special to three different religions? |
How do Baha’i view Jesus? What is special about Jerusalem? Where else do Muslims go to be closer to Allah? Can miracles be true? |
All Year 4 subjects Next Year 4 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 5
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Who is to blame if we do wrong? | |
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What does ‘coming of age’ mean in Judaism? How do adult ceremonies compare to infant ones? How do Jewish people atone for their sins? Why is confession important for forgiveness? What does ‘coming of age’ |
Can charity relieve sin? Why do we need charity in the world? Can there be free will and fate? Why is confession |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Is commitment the same as sacrifice? | |
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Is sacrifice always the same as commitment? Who benefits from sacrifice? How does the Amrit ceremony show commitment? |
How do Muslims show commitment through sacrifice? How do other believers today show commitment through sacrifice? How does martyrdom compare to religious sacrifice? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Why do Christians worship in different ways? | |
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Why are there so many Christians in the world? Are all Christians the same? Why are not all Christians Catholic? |
What are some of the differences between Christians? Do all Christians have the same beliefs and values? |
All Year 5 subjects Next Year 5 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 6
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Do we need suffering in the world? | |
| Is our world ‘good’? | Does science disprove that the world was created? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Why don’t we all get on? | |
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Is suffering necessary in our world? Could we live without suffering? Is suffering necessary in |
Why might it be important to remember the past? How can British values help believers keep their faith and identity? |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Why don’t we all get on? | |
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What is the opposite of persecution? Did we always have these British Values about respecting and protecting? |
Why is forgiveness important for us to get along? |
All Year 6 subjects Next Year 6 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Secondary
In RE, we believe it is important students have knowledge of the people around them and themselves. There are three key areas we explore from KS3 to KS5: Theology (beliefs);
Theology (beliefs); Philosophy (thinking); and Social Sciences (ethics).
We start with developing theologian knowledge in year 7, where students will explore Bible stories in depth and how Christians learn from them; the life of the Prophet Muhammad and how Muslims are influenced by this today; as well as exploring how religious people live around us (social sciences). In year 8, students have an opportunity to explore ethics and how to find out what is right and wrong, through knowledge in God and secular ethical theories.
Our GCSE in year 9 by learning Christian beliefs and how religions approach relationships and families. Throughout years 10 and 11, students will also explore Islamic beliefs and practices, and then apply their theological knowledge to themes about relationships, life, war, and crime.
All this knowledge equips them well to tackle the Religious Studies A Level which is split into three units: Philosophy, Ethics and Development in Christian Thought. Students will be able to attempt answering difficult questions, such as how do we know what is right and wrong? How do we know God exists? Is our soul and body one or separate? Students will also be able to write an argument articulately, debate enthusiastically and develop key writing and thinking skills that will aid them in any future career.
Year 7
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Is the Bible literally true? | |
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Stories of the Old Testament Creation Original sin Cain and Abel Abraham |
Stories of the New Testament Ten Commandments Jesus' birth Jesus resists temptation Jesus' crucifixion |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Why is Muhammad the seal of the prophets? | |
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Life events of the Prophet Muhammad Upbringing |
Islam today Five Pillars Speech preparation |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Can a religion exist without God? | |
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Intro to Buddhism The Buddha Samsara, karma and nirvana |
Four Noble Truths Eightfold Path End of year exam |
All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 8
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Should we choose God over government? | |
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Judaism and the Mitzvot Christianity and the Ten Commandments Islam and Shariah Law |
Why do we have laws? Are religious laws just as important as government laws? What happens if there are no laws? |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Can we ever justify the death penalty? | |
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Where does goodness come from? Utilitarianism Situation Ethics Kantian Ethics |
Speech preparation Forgiving criminals Capital punishment Is war justified |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Is there only one path to enlightenment? | |
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Hindu principles and morals Buddhist principles and morals Sikh principles and morals |
New Religious Movements End of year exams |
All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 9
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
| Why did Jesus have to live and die? | |
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Introduction to RE GCSE Creation Nature of God Holy Trinity The Word Original Sin |
Jesus Incarnation Crucifixion Resurrection Ascension |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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Does God want everyone to marry? |
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Christian Beliefs GCSE continued Atonement Salvation Afterlife Problem of Evil |
Purpose of families Types of relationships Nature and purpose of marriage |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Does God want everyone to marry? | |
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Religious attitudes to same-sex marriage Sex before marriage Divorce Religious attitudes to contraception |
Role of men and women in society Gender discrimination Religious attitudes to polygamy End of year exams |
All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 10
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
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Can you achieve peace without violence? Is belief in One God enough to be Muslim? |
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Just war Holy war Weapons of Mass Destruction Victims of war Forgiveness and reconciliation |
Peacemakers Terrorism Islam Beliefs: Sunni and Shia Nature of Allah |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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Is belief in One God enough to be Muslim? Is faith or action the best way to God? |
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Prophets Angels Predestination Holy Books Life after death |
Christianity GCSE: Worship Prayer Pilgrimage |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
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Is faith or action the best way to God? Are all criminals evil? |
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Sacraments Mission and evangelism Street pastors and food banks Festivals |
Forgiveness Types and causes of crime Aims and forms of punishment Capital punishment |
All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 11
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
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Is it a struggle to be a Muslim today? |
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Five Pillars and Ten Obligatory Acts Shahadah Salah Zakah Sawm Hajj |
Festivals and jihad Theme B GCSE: How did Universe begin Caring for the environment |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
| Are humans God's worst creation? | |
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Animal rights and experimentation Sanctity of life Abortion and Euthanasia Life after death |
Revision: Christian Beliefs Relationships and families Mock exams |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
| Revision of all units | |
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Revision: Christian Practices Islam Beliefs Islam Practices Peace and conflict Crime and punishment |
Exams |
All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 12
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
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How do we know God exists? How do we know what God is like? |
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Philosophy: DCT: Jesus as a teacher |
Ethics: Utilitarianism and Kantian Ethics DCT: Augustine on human nature |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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How do we experience God? How can we know what is morally right? |
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Philosophy: DCT: Knowledge of God |
Ethics: DCT: Death and afterlife |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
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How can we know what is morally right? How do we apply Ethics in the real world? How should a Christian act morally? |
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Philosophy: DCT: Christian moral principles |
Ethics: DCT: Pluralism and theology |
All Year 12 subjects Next Year 12 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts
Year 13
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 |
|---|---|
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How can we speak about God? What do we mean by 'good' and how do we know what 'good' is? How does religion fit in society? |
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Philosophy: Ethics: DCT: |
Philosophy: Ethics: DCT: |
| Spring 1 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|
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How do we apply ethics in the real world? How does religion fit in society? |
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Philosophy: DCT: |
Ethics: DCT: |
| Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
|---|---|
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How do we apply ethics in the real world? How does religion fit in society? |
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Philosophy and Ethics: DCT: |
Exams |
All Year 13 subjects Next Year 13 Subject - Music & Expressive Arts