At Chaucer we deliver an engaging modern course which is both relevant and challenging in our context.

Our mission is to deliver a meaningful, diverse and engaging curriculum, which includes the exploration of religion, ethics and global views. We expose students to a broad spectrum of ideas and teachings and encourage them to be open minded, analytical and curious. By learning about other people, the way they think and the way they live we seek to take our students beyond their everyday experiences.

Each unit of work poses a 'big question'; something to spark intrigue and inspire an immediate response. Students then go on to explore the question through a range of religious and non-religious perspectives. We use artefacts, images, original texts, stories and news articles to create a rich pool of knowledge from which students can express their personal thoughts and opinions.

We believe the confident command of language to be essential to the development of independent and critical thought so we dedicate curriculum time to both extended reading and structured writing. Key texts are hand written to ensure they are accessible without compromising on depth or complexity of content.

Our curriculum gives us many opportunities to explore social, moral and cultural issues with our students. All ideas, opinions and values are treated with the respect that arises from a deeper understanding of the world and its rich variety of perspective.

Topics Covered:

Year 7

• Religion in Sheffield
• Theological Investigations
• The role and character of God in the Bible.

Year 8

• Philosophy and ethics
• What is religion? Beliefs
• What is religion? People
• What is religion? Place and organisation
• Is religion compatible to modern day life.

Year 9

• How we should treat others?
• Crime and Punishment
• Reasons for and against war

Topics Covered:

• Religion in Sheffield
• Theological Investigations
• The role and character of God in the Bible.

Key Knowledge and Skills:

• Source analysis, using evidence, making a judgement, debate and discussion and extended written work.
• Handling and understanding artefacts

Assessment:

• 3 formal Assessments one in line with TSAT
• Regular use of VIP style questions and assessment style questions eg explain, source analysis throughout the year.

Links to Careers and Preparation for Life in Modern Britain:

• Students look at and develop their discussion and debate skills and ability to interpret written and numerical data.
• Students develop their understanding of how diverse Britain is, how and why it is governed and similarities and differences amongst different religions, races and cultures

Topics Covered:

• Philosophy and ethics
• What is religion? Beliefs
• What is religion? People
• What is religion? Place and organisation
• Is religion compatible to modern day life.

Key Knowledge and Skills:

• Source analysis, interpretations, using evidence, making a judgement, debate and discussion, empathy and critical thinking.
• Handling and understanding artefacts

Assessment:

•  3 formal Assessments one in line with TSAT
• Regular use of VIP style questions and assessment style questions eg explain, source analysis throughout the year.

Links to Careers and Preparation for Life in Modern Britain:

• Students look at and develop their discussion and debate skills and ability to interpret written and numerical data.
• Students develop their understanding of how diverse Britain is, how and why it is governed and similarities and differences amongst different religions and cultures.

Topics Covered:

• How we should treat others?
• Crime and Punishment
• Reasons for and against war

Key Knowledge and Skills:

• Source analysis, interpretations, using evidence, making a judgement, debate and discussion, empathy and critical thinking.
• Handling and understanding artefacts

Assessment:

•  3 formal Assessments one in line with TSAT
• Regular use of VIP style questions and extended written questions eg explain, make a judgement etc.

Links to Careers and Preparation for Life in Modern Britain:

• Students look at and develop their discussion and debate skills and ability to interpret written and numerical data.
• Students develop their understanding of how diverse Britain is, how and why it is governed and similarities and differences amongst different cultures.
• Links are made to modern day society and warfare eg Ukraine/Russia

In the past students have not studied RE at KS4. This is being addressed this year, so information will be added to this section in due course.

Every student in Y10 and Y11 is entitled to 40 hours of RE provision each year. At Chaucer this is divided into the following timetable for KS4 students:

Year Group	Tutor Time	3 x Drop down days HT2, HT4 & HT6	Life curriculum RE
Y10	37 x 20-minute sessions throughout the year = 15 hours	15 hours of bespoke learning of the 6 main religions of the world how we can recognise and celebrate their positive impact in our local area.	HT 3 7x 65-minute lessons
Y11 (37 hours due to GCSE exams)	30 x 20-minute sessions throughout the year = 12.5 hours	15 hours of bespoke learning of the 6 main religions of the world how we can recognise and celebrate their positive impact in our local area.	HT 4 7x 65-minute lessons

In KS4 RE studies at Chaucer we strive to develop in all students a knowledge and understanding of religious and nonreligious world views to foster a greater appreciation of the rich, culturally and religiously diverse world in which we live. We aim to support students in developing their own spiritual, moral and social awareness by increasing their understanding of the complex issues and challenges faced by people from all walks of life within their own city and beyond. It is our ambition that students leave Chaucer school with a greater understanding of their own place within society, both local and global. 

Our pupils will learn key beliefs from major world religions, with particular focus on the main religious tradition of the country in order to reflect on the historical context of Great Britain. Our ultimate goal is to create and nurture an intellectual curiosity in pupils to develop a love of learning and an understanding of the role of the subject within the curriculum.

In the past students have not studied RE at KS4. This is being addressed this year, so information will be added to this section in due course.