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Religious Education

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Religious Education at Excelsior Academy aims to deepen pupils’ understanding of religion, belief and the diverse worldviews that shape human experience. Through a broad and balanced curriculum, pupils explore the beliefs, teachings, practices and values of major world religions alongside non-religious worldviews as well as develop their own views and positionality.  

The curriculum encourages critical thinking, respectful dialogue and personal reflection underpinned by oracy and sources of authority. Pupils are supported to ask meaningful questions about theology, philosophy, life, purpose and ethics while developing empathy, open-mindedness and cultural awareness. Through the study of religion and belief, pupils gain the knowledge, concepts and skills needed to understand and engage with the diverse society in which they live locally, nationally and globally.  This ensures that students develop knowledge, conceptual understanding, skills and their own positionality. 

Students explore how the six principal global religions believe, live and express their beliefs and how within religions these can be expressed differently.  Students also study non-religious worldviews.  This ensures that students know about a range of religions and worldviews, sources of authority and how different life issues can be viewed.  Students also express with increasing discernment their personal reflections and critical responses to questions and about diversity, identify, meaning and value, including ethical issues.  As part of this, students explore what enables different individuals and communities to live together respectfully for the wellbeing of all, including British Values and protected characteristics.  Our approach is:

  • Thinking Through Believing (Theology)
  • Thinking Through Thinking (Philosophy)
  • Thinking Through Living (Social Sciences/Human Sciences)
  • Sources of Authority/Sacred Texts

Our Religious Education curriculum links with multiple other subjects across the Academy, including PSHE, History and English, as well as Excelsior Reads.

The EA curriculum aligns with the Newcastle Locally Agreed Syllabus: https://www.servicestoschools.org.uk/

Subject Leader: Rachel.Jopling@excelsiornewcastle.org.uk 

Key Stage 2

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Key Stage 3 and 4

Aims of our Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 curriculum 

From Year 7 to Year 11, pupils develop their understanding of major world religions, non-religious worldviews such as Humanism, and key religious concepts including belief, ritual, ethics and sacred texts. The curriculum explores philosophical and ethical issues, encouraging pupils to consider questions of justice, morality and the meaning of life. 

Learning is carefully sequenced to build knowledge and understanding over time. Pupils examine how religious and non-religious beliefs influence individuals, communities and societies while developing the ability to analyse, evaluate and communicate their own ideas respectfully. By the end of Key Stage 3 and 4, pupils are well prepared for further study in Religious Studies and for active citizenship in a diverse and ever-changing world. 

Year 7 

In Year 7, pupils begin their Religious Education journey by exploring the nature and purpose of religion and belief. They are introduced to the concept of worldviews and examine both religious and non-religious perspectives, including Humanism. Pupils explore Christianity as a lived faith and consider how beliefs influence identity, values and daily life. They also begin to investigate philosophical and ethical questions, including concepts of justice and fairness. 

Year 8 

In Year 8, pupils deepen their understanding of religious identity, belief and practice through the study of Sikhism and Hinduism. They explore how key teachings shape the lives of believers while developing a greater appreciation of religious diversity. Pupils are also introduced to the philosophical challenge of evil and suffering, considering a range of religious and non-religious responses to one of life's most profound questions. 

Year 9 

In Year 9, pupils prepare for more advanced philosophical, theological and ethical study. They explore Islamic beliefs and practices, examine the origins and teachings of Buddhism, and consider how different worldviews respond to contemporary moral issues. Through the study of ethical debates and challenging questions, pupils develop the critical thinking and evaluative skills needed for Key Stage 4 study and beyond.

Year 10 and Year 11

In Year 10 and 11, pupils examine a range of different ethical issues drawing in their knowledge of different world religions and non-religious worldviews.  This enables them to consolidate prior knowledge and develop depth of unerstanding when faced with real-world issues and debates.