At Bolder Academy, our Religion, Philosophy and Ethics curriculum is designed to develop our students into kind, strong, brave young adults where a Bolder future awaits.

The aims of the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics curriculum

The aims of the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics curriculum are to:

1. Explore faith, spirituality and an awareness of themselves and others.
2. Develop a deeper sense of their own beliefs and values by reflecting on why they think and act in particular ways.
3. Ask challenging and ultimate questions within a context of mutual trust and respect.
4. Promote community cohesion by providing a key context to develop young people’s understanding and appreciation of diversity, and to promote shared values and to challenge racism and discrimination.

How we deliver Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Students in KS3 have 1 hour of learning per week.

At KS4 students have a core RPE programme as part of their Personal Development sessions. These sessions take part in a carousel with Citizenship.

Students are taught: 

To discuss the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, issues of right and wrong.

• Knowledge, understanding and awareness of Christianity and other major world faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism, Islam, as well as studying ethical themes, relationships and families, religion and life, philosophy of religion: God and science, philosophy of religion: Is there really a God?
• Moreover, we also introduce students to the fundamentals of philosophical thought, starting with an introduction to Ancient Greek philosophy in year 7. We strive to ensure that RPE is relevant and engaging for every student at Bolder, irrespective of their particular worldview.
• An awareness and understanding of religions and beliefs, teachings, practices and forms of expression, as well as the influence of religious and other beliefs on individuals, families, communities and cultures.
• To foster respect for, and sensitivity to, individuals and communities of different faiths and beliefs by promoting discernment and combating prejudice.

The Religion, Philosophy and Ethics curriculum follows national guidance and the SACRE Hounslow statutory guidance is also followed.

Our intended Impact in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

We will know if we have been successful when our students live and breathe our three core values within the Academy and beyond. When they demonstrate:

• Kindness: Becoming independent and reflective thinkers that contribute positively to society.
• Strength: By showing appreciation and respect of worldviews, and the recognition and promotion of British values.
• Bravery: An ability to create a safe space to discuss, experience and respond well to difference – a space where students can engage with controversial issues and learn to disagree respectfully with each other.

As our students navigate their way through life in multicultural London and the wider world, our vision is for them all to have an understanding of the world which gives them confidence to go out and achieve both academically and socially in whichever field they choose.

We believe that RPE has a key role to play in fostering learners who are motivated to succeed and who are equipped with the skills, knowledge and cultural capital to do so.

Equally, we want to prepare students effectively for the current and next stage in their learning, whether this be GCSE or A Level examination, University study or the world of work.