Religious Studies
Religious Studies at Leicester Grammar provides an intellectually grounded, philosophically and theologically astute exploration of ultimate questions of meaning, purpose and truth that have direct relevance to British society. We live in a world where politics, culture and religion are often fused together, and even those societies that separate church and state often have God embedded in their cultural politics; thus it is important to have knowledge and understanding of humanities beliefs.
Our aim is to cultivate religious literacy, so that our students can address the problems, challenges and opportunities they encounter in the world in an attentive, reasonable and responsible manner.
As society finds itself increasingly anxious about the ‘Big Questions’ regarding the wellbeing of society, the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, and the truth or falsehood of conflicting religious and secular beliefs, so we take Socrates’ words to heart, ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’.
Year 6
All pupils in Year 6 have two periods of Religious Studies per week. The main focus in year 6 is to make RS exciting and interesting and to give the students a greater sense of wonder by actually creating, in an open and engaging environment, their own community with their own values and practices.
The activities are based on Sue Phillips Theatre of Learning - The Island; a community brought together through a cruise ship sinking and the survivors coming together on an island.
During their time on the island the survivors participate in many events, including celebrating the birth of their first child, creating their own laws and considering a resting place for their written diaries of their experiences. This is tied in with discovering more about rites of passage in Christianity and world religions.
Year 7
All Year 7 pupils have three Religious Studies lessons each week.
The year begins with a personal presentation project entitled ‘My Life in Pieces’, which gives pupils the opportunity to reflect on and share aspects of their identity, including the people, experiences, values and beliefs that are important to them.
In their double lesson each week, pupils study the religions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They explore key beliefs, practices and traditions, while considering how religious beliefs can influence the way people live their lives. Pupils are encouraged to develop their understanding of different faiths and to evaluate the impact that beliefs have on behaviour and decision-making.
In their single lesson, pupils follow a programme of study based on Philosophy for Children (P4C). Through discussion, enquiry and debate, they engage with a range of philosophical questions and ideas, developing their critical thinking, reasoning and communication skills. This strand of the curriculum encourages pupils to think deeply, consider different viewpoints and justify their opinions with confidence and respect.
Throughout the year, pupils develop both their knowledge of religion and their ability to think critically about important questions of belief, identity, meaning and truth.
Year 8
All Year 8 pupils have two Religious Studies lessons each week.
During the year, pupils deepen their understanding of the religions of Hinduism and Sikhism, exploring key beliefs, practices, traditions and festivals. To enrich their learning, pupils may have the opportunity to visit a place of worship and learn directly from members of a faith community.
Building on the philosophical skills developed in Year 7, pupils also undertake an Ethics unit examining religion, prejudice and discrimination. Through the study of historical and contemporary examples, pupils consider the ways in which religious beliefs and communities have responded to issues of injustice, inequality and human rights. They are encouraged to think critically about moral questions, evaluate different viewpoints and reflect on the role religion can play in promoting respect, equality and social cohesion.
Throughout the course, pupils develop their knowledge of world religions alongside the analytical, evaluative and discussion skills that are central to Religious Studies.
Year 9
All pupils in Year 9 receive two lessons of Religious Studies each week.
The year begins with an exploration of one of the most fundamental questions in philosophy and religion: Does it make sense to believe in God? Pupils examine and evaluate key arguments for the existence of God, including the Design Argument and the First Cause Argument, alongside challenges to religious belief, such as the problem of evil and suffering. As part of this unit, pupils visit the Beth Shalom Holocaust Memorial Centre in collaboration with the History Department, providing an opportunity to reflect on the impact of human actions, suffering, and moral responsibility.
Pupils then investigate different explanations for the origins of life and the universe, considering both religious and non-religious perspectives. They explore how beliefs about creation influence attitudes towards the environment and examine the responsibility individuals and communities have to care for the Earth.
In the final unit, pupils are introduced to the beliefs, teachings, and practices of Buddhism. They explore what it means to live as a Buddhist in the modern world and apply Buddhist principles to contemporary ethical issues, including environmental responsibility and animal rights. Throughout the year, pupils develop their ability to analyse different viewpoints, construct reasoned arguments, and evaluate complex philosophical and ethical questions.
GCSE
GCSE Religious Studies is a popular option, with approximately half of all Year 10 and Year 11 students choosing to study the subject.
Students follow the AQA GCSE Religious Studies specification, which develops their knowledge and understanding of religion, philosophy and ethics, while also enhancing their analytical, evaluative and critical thinking skills. The course is assessed through two written examinations at the end of Year 11, each lasting 1 hour 45 minutes.
In the first examination paper, students study the Beliefs, Teachings and Practices of Christianity and Buddhism. They explore how religious beliefs shape the lives of individuals and communities, examining key doctrines, sources of authority and forms of worship.
The second examination paper focuses on Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies in the Modern World. Students investigate contemporary issues and consider a range of religious and non-religious perspectives. Topics include relationships and families, religion and life, the existence of God and revelation, and religion, peace and conflict. Students are encouraged to evaluate different viewpoints and construct well-reasoned arguments about significant moral and philosophical questions.
To enrich their learning, students visit both a Christian church and a Buddhist vihara, providing valuable opportunities to experience religious belief and practice first-hand. In addition, every other year students have the opportunity to attend a Religious Studies conference hosted at the school, where they can engage with expert speakers and deepen their understanding of key GCSE themes.
Throughout the course, students develop important skills in analysis, evaluation, communication and independent thinking, making GCSE Religious Studies an excellent preparation for further study and a wide range of future careers.
More details of this course can be found here
A Level
A Level Religious Studies (Philosophy, Ethics and Theology) is a highly popular and intellectually stimulating course chosen by many Sixth Form students. The subject encourages learners to explore some of the most profound questions about human existence, morality, belief, and the nature of reality, while developing essential skills in critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation.
Students follow the OCR linear A Level specification, which is assessed through three two-hour examinations at the end of the two-year course. The curriculum provides an engaging and challenging introduction to Western philosophy, ethical theory, and Christian theology, enabling students to gain a sophisticated understanding of key ideas, thinkers, and debates.
Throughout the course, students are encouraged to engage critically with a wide range of ethical, philosophical, and theological issues. They develop the ability to construct well-reasoned arguments, evaluate differing viewpoints, and apply their knowledge to contemporary issues that are highly relevant in the twenty-first century. These skills make Religious Studies excellent preparation for a wide range of university courses and careers, including law, politics, education, journalism, medicine, and the humanities.
Students also benefit from a range of enriching co-curricular opportunities. Over the 2-year course, there is the opportunity to attend a prestigious revision conference held at either Oxford or Cambridge, where leading philosophers and academics deliver lectures on topics directly linked to the A Level specification. In addition, we host a biennial Philosophy, Ethics and Theology Conference led by either Peter Vardy or Peter Radford, bringing together Sixth Form students from a range of local schools and colleges to explore cutting-edge ideas and engage in academic debate.
Through its combination of rigorous academic study and enrichment opportunities, A Level Religious Studies offers students the chance to become thoughtful, informed, and reflective individuals, prepared to engage with some of the most important questions facing society today.
More details of this course can be found here
Co-Curricular
- ‘Philosophy Society’ is a student-led lunchtime club meeting once a month for years 12 and 13. It aims to explore the place and nature of faith in today’s world and discuss a range of philosophical and ethical issues. The programme includes quite varied speakers and presentations: university lecturers, faith visitors, teachers, and LGS students, as well as occasional film showings, debates, etc.
- A weekly ‘Film Club’ (rotated each term) runs for younger pupils in years 7-9 and offers the opportunity to watch and discuss a variety of films with a philosophical and ethical theme.
- We regularly invite visitors from a variety of faith groups into the school to talk to our RS pupils.