Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

Curriculum Intent

Our aims and vision for PRE reflect the intent of the locally agreed syllabus in which, through their understanding of others’, pupils can become informed and empathetic citizens of the world.

The PRE curriculum takes a multi-disciplinary approach focusing on the key disciplines of Philosophy, Ethics and Religion to build and progress students’ understanding of both substantive and disciplinary knowledge. This structure ensures that students revisit key themes and concepts throughout their time at Neston High School, deepening their understanding through carefully sequenced topics that allow for both consolidation and extension of knowledge. Throughout, students are encouraged to make connections between their own beliefs and the worldviews of others.

We teach through enquiry questions to help focus our students’ learning and promote a passion for the subject and appreciation of the value PRE brings to their wider life experiences. These questions guide each unit of study, encouraging students to explore significant philosophical, ethical and theological issues. Our ambitious curriculum is guided by the views of key philosophers and theologians and aims to challenge common misconceptions about what RE is. We approach our curriculum considering the needs of the pupils of Neston High School and include a diverse range of worldviews to reflect our students.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Y7	Y8	Y9
Topic 1: How do we interpret the world? Introducing Philosophy, Religion and Ethics.	Topic 1: Does God exist? A philosophical investigation	Topic 1: Should animals have right?
Topic 2: Why are covenants important? Introducing Abrahamic faiths/monotheism	Topic 2: How does evil challenge God’s existence? Does evil present the biggest challenge to God? How do religious believers overcome this?	Topic 2: Are we doing enough to protect the rights of humans?
Topic 3: What is the new covenant? A focus on the life of Jesus	Topic 3: How is Dharma interpreted and put into action? The key themes of Dharmic faiths	Topic 3: How do we make medical decisions? An ethical enquiry.
Topic 4: Why is Jesus important to Christians? The importance of role models. Key Christian teachings regarding Jesus and his influence on the world.	Topic 4: Is there life after death?	Topic 4: Can war ever be justified?
Topic 5: How do prophets connect Abrahamic faiths? Introducing Islam
Topic 6: Do we have a responsibility to protect the environment? An environmental ethics focus.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

GCSE Exam Board: AQA Religious Studies A 8062

Full specification can be found here: AQA | Religious Studies | GCSE | GCSE Religious Studies

Assessment: The GCSE Religious Studies course consists of two externally assessed exam papers, all at the end of Year 11.

Paper 1 (Religion): 1 hour 45 minutes.
50% of the GCSE qualification.
96 marks plus 6 SPaG marks.

Paper 2 (Thematic Studies) : 1 hour 45 minutes.
50% of the GCSE qualification.
96 marks plus 3 SPaG marks.

Paper 1 – Religion

Paper 2 – Thematic Studies

Christian Beliefs:

Nature of God, Problem of Evil

Life of Jesus

Theme A – Relationships and Families

Attitudes to sexuality, marriage, divorce, gender equality and the nature of families

Christian Practices:

Key Christian festivals and rites of passage

Theme B – Religion and Life

Attitudes to matters of life and death (Abortion and Euthanasia), Animal Rights and environmental ethics

Jewish Beliefs:

Nature of God, Covenants (Abraham and Moses), Moral principles, Life After Death

Theme D – War, Peace and Justice

Attitudes to war, the use of weapons of mass destruction, pacifism

Jewish Practices:

Key Jewish ceremonies and festivals

Rites of passage

Theme E – Crime and Punishment

Attitudes towards criminals, the death penalty, justice and forgiveness

Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)

A Level Exam Board: OCR

Full specification can be found here: AS and A Level - Religious Studies - H173, H573

The A Level Religious Studies course consists of three disciplines:

Philosophy of Religion

Ethics

Developments in Christian Thought

Philosophy of Religion

Ethics

Development in Christian Thought

Ancient philosophical influences: Examining the ideas of Plato and Aristotle.

The nature of the soul, mind and body: Dualism vs. materialism debates.

Arguments for the existence of God: Ontological, cosmological, and teleological arguments.

Challenges to religious belief: The problem of evil and suffering.

Religious experience: Analysis of mystical and conversion experiences.

Religious language: Symbolism, analogy, verification and falsification.

Nature of God: Exploring attributes like omnipotence, omniscience, and the concept of a timeless or everlasting God.

The nature of reality and life after death.

Normative ethical theories: Study of Natural Law, Situation Ethics, Kantian Ethics, and Utilitarianism.

Applied ethics: Exploration of contemporary moral issues such as euthanasia, business ethics, and sexual ethics.

Meta-ethics: Analysis of the meaning and nature of ethical language—whether moral statements are objective truths or expressions of emotion or preference.

Conscience: Examination of different views on the nature and role of conscience in moral decision-making.

Free will and moral responsibility: Debates on human freedom, determinism, and accountability.

Ethical thought: The influence of religious and secular ideas on moral reasoning.

Human nature: Views on sin, free will, and the soul.

Death and the afterlife: Christian concepts of heaven, hell, purgatory, judgment, and resurrection.

Knowledge of God: Natural and revealed theology—how God can be known.

The person of Jesus Christ: His identity, teachings, and significance.

Christian moral principles: The role of the Bible, Church, and reason in ethical decision-making.

Christian moral action: Examples like liberation theology and the work of key figures such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Religious pluralism: Christianity’s relationship with other religions and the implications for salvation.

Gender and theology: Feminist critiques and changing roles within the Church.

Secularism and atheism: Challenges to Christian belief in a modern, secular context.

Assessment Methods

~~Assessment:~~

There are three separate exams at the end of Y13 corresponding to each component.

Paper 1

Philosophy of Religion: written exam, 2 hours
Three essay questions each worth 40 marks
33.3% of the qualification

Paper 2

Ethics: written exam, 2 hours
Three essay questions each worth 40 marks
33.3% of the qualification

Paper 3

Developments in Christian Thought: written exam, 2 hours
Three essay questions each worth 40 marks
33.3% of the qualification

Careers & Further Education Pathways

Studying Philosophy, Religion and Ethics at Neston High School opens a wide range of opportunities for further education and diverse career pathways. It is a subject that builds critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, and analytical skills — all highly valued in many sectors.

~~University Degrees~~

Philosophy, Religion and Ethics is a highly respected subject at university level, with courses available at leading institutions across the UK. Students can pursue Philosophy, Ethics or Theology as a single honours degree or combine it with other disciplines such as Politics, Economics, Law, Psychology and History. University-level study builds on the analytical, research, and communication skills developed at school, and offers the chance to specialise in areas of personal interest, from the effects of religion on society, counter terrorism, corporate social responsibility or ancient practices including studies into witchcraft.

~~Career Prospects~~
A background in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics equips students with transferable skills valued by employers across many sectors. PRE graduates are well-suited to careers in journalism, law, civil service, marketing, policy, human resources, public relations, ethical business consultancy and many, many more. PRE is especially valuable in today’s global, multi-faith society.

~~Apprenticeships and Industry Links~~
Beyond traditional academic routes, PRE provides a strong foundation for non-traditional and vocational pathways, especially where empathy, ethics, critical thinking, and communication are valued. PRE complements apprenticeships in areas such a law (e.g paralegal apprenticeships), health and social care, public services (e.g police) and much more. Work experience and volunteering in these areas are highly valued. Our curriculum encourages students to develop career readiness, preparing them for both immediate employment and long-term professional growth.

By studying PRE, it opens doors to people-focused, values-driven, and ethically-aware careers and provides the foundation for understanding your role within the world.

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