Religious Studies (RS) to Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE)
Religious Studies (RS) to Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE)
A subject at Ormiston Forge Academy in Cradley Heath is embarking on a change of name to reflect modern learning and the wider remit that the subject offers.
From September 2020, the subject of Religious Studies (RS) will change to Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE). This expanded subject will ensure students are able to make links with wider concepts, evaluate different points of view and build critical analysis skills by ensuring students come to reasoned conclusions throughout the topics that they study.
Subject leader Jemma Willmott said: “As a subject that is surrounded by many preconceptions, we believe this is the right move for the Academy as the name covers more of what students will study. It is a popular subject at Forge from year 7 right through to the sixth form, which from September, will have a new curriculum which is attractive, engaging and relevant.“
“It is important for students to develop an understanding of what it means to live in a multi-cultural society like Sandwell. We’ll give them the skills to explore, examine and justify their own beliefs as well as the beliefs of others, develop a respect for the religious practices of people of all faiths and those of no faith, they will understand how religious beliefs can influence moral decisions and understand how we can reduce intolerance in society.“
Religious studies has always had an important place at Forge and students start studying at year 7. Many topics are already ethical and philosophical and the current subject name doesn’t reflect this. Whilst the teaching of religion is not lost, in PRE it will be taught in a more informative way, where students look at all religions and learn from them and the questions they raise and the concepts they offer.
Principal Dr Lisa Mason said: “Students are able to form their own ideas and opinions and deeper thinking is a valuable skill that when taught in this way will have a positive impact across the entire Academy curriculum. We look at more than one point of view and take a broader approach to teaching religions, we delve into each one every other half-term and weave them in with more moral topics.
“Our new curriculum from September will cover all religions as well as many morality based topics. We will include morality from literature where we will study key texts and the questions raised by them. Religion and sport will also play an important part as we move forward as well as a philosophy-based-topic which introduces students to questions such as ‘why are we here?’ and ‘how do we know what we know?‘”
Philosophy, religion and ethics offer students a broad balance in the curriculum for students whilst ensuring they still receive the teaching of religion that is required by UK law.
