Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong and what it means to be human. It encourages pupils to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning.

At Tewkesbury Academy, we want our philosophers to know and understand key beliefs and practices of a variety of worldviews. We want them to be able to listen to others, take on differing viewpoints, be able to articulate arguments and form justified conclusions. Students will learn about and from religions and worldviews in local, national and global contexts and learn to weigh up the value of wisdom from different sources by being reasonable about their own beliefs and the beliefs of others. In doing this, they learn to articulate clearly and coherently their personal beliefs, ideas, values and experiences whilst respecting the right of others to differ.

Students will:

• Develop their knowledge and understanding of religions and non-religious beliefs, such as atheism and humanism.
• Develop their knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs, teachings and sources of wisdom and authority.
• Develop their ability to construct well-argued, well-informed, balanced and structured written arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of the subject.
• Reflect on and develop their own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what they have learnt and contribute to their preparation for adult life in a pluralistic society and global community.

Learning about other times, places, cultures and beliefs, as well as their own, will enable students to develop a sense of personal meaning and place in the world. It enables them to flourish individually within their communities and as responsible citizens in society.