Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Years 7 to 9

Year 7

Year 7 begins with an exploration of students’ own views on religion and the diversity of beliefs around the world. They consider whether religion causes peace or conflict, and examine both its positive and negative impacts. Through regular Philosophy for Children (P4C) sessions, students develop confidence in questioning and dialogue. They then study the Story of Christianity through a historical, theological, and symbolic lens—exploring it on a cosmic scale, from the Tree in Eden to the Tree of the Cross. As part of this, students examine the historical figure of Jesus of Nazareth (Yeshua Bar Yosef) in his 1st-century Jewish context, exploring how his life, teachings, and legacy shaped the Christian tradition. This is followed by the Story of Islam, in which students explore how the religion emerged from 7th-century Arabia, focusing on the life of the Prophet Muhammad Ibn-Abdullah, and how his message responded to the hardships, tribal divisions, and spiritual disillusionment of his time, offering a path of justice, unity, and submission to God.

Year 8

In Year 8, students begin with the Story of Judaism, tracing its origins in the ancient Mesopotamian world and the gradual shift from polytheism to monotheism. They explore the development of Judaism through key covenants, focusing on the lives of Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah, and reflect on how these figures shaped Jewish identity, law, and belief. Students also examine Jewish family life, ritual practice, and the ongoing role of Jewish law (Halakhah) in the modern world, emphasising Judaism as a living tradition. In the Religious Sources unit, students investigate how different religions pass on sacred knowledge—through oral traditions, written texts, and historical artefacts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as the lives of saints and sages. Finally, students study the Story of Buddhism, exploring the historical life of Siddhartha Gautama, the nature of Enlightenment, and the path to Nirvana as a response to suffering. Throughout the year, Philosophy for Children (P4C) is woven into lessons to foster thoughtful dialogue, ethical questioning, and reflective reasoning across all topics.

Year 9

In Year 9, students begin with a study of Ethics, exploring real-world issues through the perspectives of key thinkers. They examine the Sanctity of Life with C.S. Lewis, the Death Penalty through the lens of Pope Francis, Animal Testing with reference to Peter Singer, and consider the role of religion in reconciliation through the Good Friday Agreement. In the second half of the year, students delve into Philosophy, studying figures such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Pyrrho, Marcus Aurelius, and Karl Marx, engaging with ideas like the Cave Analogy, simulation theory, Natural Law, and Marx’s claim that religion is the “opium of the people.” Throughout the year, lessons are grounded in regular Philosophy for Children (P4C) discussion, encouraging students to think critically, debate respectfully, and develop their own reasoned viewpoints.