Religious Studies

The study of faith and beliefs is an important element of our school curriculum and begins with the importance of students knowing that their ideas, beliefs and opinions are important to us in school.

Primary religious studies - how religions work for different people

Pride in ourselves, and the chance to share what makes us special, is the start of our RE curriculum in Reception. Students meet religious leaders from our local community and start to gain a picture of how religions work for different families.

As students move through the RE curriculum, we focus on all religions at different points, with the Bexley SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) a starting point for our curriculum design.

We want our curriculum to reflect the students in our school. We have therefore made choices throughout the school in terms of expressing faith, interpreting faith and the structures of faith, which reflect our own students.

Lessons in RE focus on the idea of shared stories and the chance for students to reflect on their own beliefs and how these might differ or seem similar to others.

As students move through the secondary school, the complexity of debate and students understanding grows, to make sure all students can go out into our community with strong confidence in their own beliefs, and the ability to listen and empathise with others.

Secondary religious studies - respect, tolerance and critical thinking.

Religious studies in the secondary phase at Harris Garrard Academy develops students’ knowledge of diverse religions and worldviews while fostering respect, tolerance, and critical thinking.

The curriculum encourages learners to explore beliefs, values, and moral questions through theological, philosophical, and social lenses, building substantive knowledge of traditions and disciplinary skills in analysis and evaluation. Alongside this, students develop personal awareness, challenge prejudice, and learn to engage in meaningful dialogue, equipping them with cultural literacy and the ability to participate positively in a diverse society.

In Key Stage 3, students explore big philosophical and theological questions such as “How do humans find meaning?”, “Does God exist?”, and “Was Jesus the Messiah?”, alongside social science themes like the impact of religion on culture and the rise of non-religious worldviews. Through a spiral curriculum across Years 7–9, learners build knowledge of diverse traditions while developing critical thinking and reflective skills. Assessment combines extended writing and low-stakes quizzes, focusing on learning about religion and learning from religion, enabling students to understand religious practices and relate them to their own values and experiences.

At Key Stage 4, students can choose Religious Education as a GCSE option following the AQA specification, studying Christianity and Islam in depth. The course is assessed through two written exams at the end of Year 11 and enriched by visits to places of worship and engagement with local faith leaders. Students explore key beliefs and practices alongside ethical themes such as relationships, life and death, peace and conflict, and crime and punishment. They also engage in debates on contemporary issues and examine non-religious perspectives, including humanism and atheism, developing critical thinking and the ability to form reasoned arguments.

For students who do not opt for GCSE RE, core Religious Education is delivered through the Tutor Time programme. These sessions follow the Bexley Agreed Syllabus and focus on ethical and philosophical issues, encouraging students to apply religious and secular viewpoints to real-world challenges. This approach builds on prior learning from Key Stage 3 and deepens understanding of diversity, morality, and social responsibility, equipping students with cultural literacy and skills for active citizenship in modern Britain.

For further details...

For further details of our primary Religious Education curriculum, or to discuss your right to withdraw your child from RE, please contact Helea Mbakam-Nitcheu H.MbakamNitcheu@harrisgarrard.org.uk. 

For further details of our secondary Religious Education curriculum, or to discuss your right to withdraw your child from RE, please contact Helea Mbakam-Nitcheu H.MbakamNitcheu@harrisgarrard.org.uk. 

Click HERE to download the Religious Studies curriculum overview.