Religious Education – Key Stage 4

Deepening Understanding of Christianity and Islam 

Terms 1 & 2 – Christianity 

Students begin their GCSE studies by exploring Christian beliefs and practices in depth. 
They study key teachings from the Bible and examine how Christians apply these beliefs in everyday life. 

Beliefs and Teachings 

• The Nature of God: Understanding Christian beliefs about God as omnipotent, loving, and just, using stories such as Creation and the Exodus. 

• The Trinity: Exploring the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

• Creation: Studying Genesis and different Christian interpretations (literal and symbolic). 

• Jesus Christ: The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, focusing on incarnation, atonement, and salvation. 

• The Afterlife: Christian beliefs about heaven, hell, and judgement, and how these shape moral decisions. 

Practices 

• Worship and Prayer: Exploring forms of worship (liturgical, informal, and personal) and the significance of prayer. 

• Sacraments: Investigating baptism and the Eucharist and how their meanings vary between denominations. 

• Pilgrimage and Festivals: Studying the importance of Walsingham, Taizé, and festivals such as Christmas and Easter. 

• Christianity in the UK Today: Understanding the Church’s evolving role in British society and local communities. 

• The Worldwide Church: Examining mission, evangelism, reconciliation, and responses to persecution. 

Terms 2 & 3 – Islam 

Students then study Islamic beliefs and practices, learning how they shape Muslim identity, worship, and community life. 

Beliefs and Teachings 

• The Nature of Allah (Tawhid): Exploring Allah’s oneness, mercy, power, and justice, including Adalat in Shi’a Islam. 

• Prophethood (Risalah): Understanding the role of prophets such as Adam, Ibrahim, Isa (Jesus), and Muhammad (the final prophet). 

• Angels (Malaikah): Exploring the role of angels in revelation, nature, and the Day of Resurrection. 

• Akhirah (Afterlife): Studying beliefs about judgement, heaven, hell, and human responsibility. 

• Foundations of Faith: Comparing Sunni and Shi’a beliefs (Six Articles of Faith and Five Roots) and the role of sacred texts. 

Practices 

• The Five Pillars of Islam: Shahadah (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakah (charity), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage), with a focus on how they are practised in the UK and worldwide. 

• The Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi’a Islam): Including Khums, Amr-bil-Maroof (encouraging good), and Jihad. 

• Jihad: Understanding greater jihad (personal spiritual struggle) and lesser jihad (defending the faith). 

• Festivals: Exploring Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha, Ashura, and Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power).