Religion, Philosophy & Ethics

Independent Learning in Religion, Philosophy & Ethics in Key Stage 3

Independent learning is encouraged through a range of strategies. Homework is offered through a knowledge organiser where students have to assess where their gaps are and we then re-visit these during our lessons. This encourages students to take an active role in their own learning. In addition to this, students in all years of key stage 3 are provided with a learning journey. This allows students to see where their learning will take them through the year and which keywords will be taught and looked at throughout the learning cycle. By sharing this with, students can then see what our next topic is and allows them to complete further independent study when they feel inspired to do so. Glossaries are provided for each key stage year group which again allows students to independently read and include this in their own work. As we continue to build our curriculum, level up challenge questions are provided throughout the lesson which allows students to take their own learning further.

Independent Learning in Religion, Philosophy & Ethics in Key Stage 4

In years 10 and 11, students are encouraged to complete independent work to strengthen their own knowledge on exam units. Keyword lists, learning journeys and trackers are provided to all students so they can see where their learning will take them and what links they can make to prior units. Learning vocabulary sheets are provided to students so they can ensure they include this in their exam answers and these are assessed for homework throughout the course. Where students are not in the lesson due to long term absence or other reasons, we use Oak Academy lessons to ensure gaps are filled. This is also shared with students prior to internal exams for those that want to take their further learning and ensure all gaps are covered. This allows students to select certain topics to be ‘re-taught’ to them, showing them the importance of independent learning and taking a proactive attitude towards this. PLCs are also provided for students prior to their PPEs. This allows students to check off which areas of the course they feel more secure in and where they feel they need to complete some further independent work.

Independent Learning in Religion, Philosophy & Ethics in Key Stage 5

In the Sixth Form, students who elect to take Alevel are provided with a handbook. Within this course handbook it details the specification, assessment questions and assessment mark sheets. This allows students, from the beginning, to see where the 2-year journey will take them and provides them with exam questions so they can start to see how they will be assessed. We set a range of readings for students to complete prior to lessons and this allows them to come to the lesson with some of the learning already having occurred, allowing teachers to build on this in their lesson time. Formative assessments are ongoing through the 2-year course where students are expected to plan and complete essay questions to demonstrate the importance of taking ownership of their learning.