Aim: The aim of the Religion and Worldviews Curriculum at The Dorcan Academy is to engage pupils in systematic enquiry into the beliefs, teachings and practices of major religions and worldviews. They will be exposed to the ‘big questions’ in life which religious and non-religious worldviews address.
This will allow students to develop the understanding and skills needed to appreciate and appraise varied responses to these questions from religious and non-religious viewpoints, as well as developing responses of their own. This will empower students to become critical thinkers who stand out as model citizens supporting them in becoming understanding and compassionate members of today’s society.
How we do this: Students must attend Religion and Worldviews lessons with an open and enquiring mind. They are expected to arrive ready to learn and be willing to challenge themselves and listen without judgement to the views and beliefs of others. By being kind, showing respect and doing their best, students will address and challenge common misconceptions about religious and non-religious communities and be encouraged to ask questions and take part in class discussions and debates. In return, lessons will be informative, engaging, and challenging.
In 2025, over two thirds of GCSE Full Course Religious Studies students achieved their best results ever.
Students’ learning journeys are assessed continually. Formative assessments include spelling and vocabulary tests, knowledge recall quizzes (Do Now activities), in-class questioning, academic prep, and a variety of lesson activities and writing tasks such as deliberate practice of exam-style questions. Students will build their skills, starting with the fundamentals in year 7 to support them in answering exam questions at GCSE. Formative assessments are reviewed using live feedback, giving students the opportunity to instantly correct, amend or redraft their answers to help make progress.
At the end of each topic students sit a summative assessment. This covers the content of the course, but also involves cumulative elements to ensure prior learning continues to be assessed and secured.
In Key Stage 3, assessments cover some of the exam skills students will need for success at Key Stage 4. In Key Stage 4, for students preparing for GCSE, summative assessments take the form of GCSE past papers and are marked using the GCSE criteria.
In both key stages, students receive formal, written bridging feedback on summative assessments, and are given Dedicated Improvement and Reflection Time (DIRT) as an opportunity to respond to feedback, make progress and secure knowledge.
Students preparing for GCSE also sit Prelim exams in Y10 and 11 which allow them to sit a summative assessment in exam conditions.
Mrs Sarah Bridge – Head of Religion and Worldviews
Miss Alicia Pearce – Teacher of Religion and Worldviews
All students study Religion and Worldviews throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 at The Dorcan Academy. At Key Stage 3, students receive two lessons per fortnight, and in Key Stage 4 they receive one lesson per fortnight.
Students may choose Religious Studies as a Full Course GCSE option in Key Stage 4. GCSE option groups receive an additional 5 lessons per fortnight.
Revision sessions are run as optional drop-ins for students taking GCSE.
Targeted interventions are run by invitation for students taking GCSE.
Morals, ethics and philosophy – KS3 Religious Studies – BBC Bitesize
GCSE Religious Studies – AQA – BBC Bitesize
Ben Wardle – YouTube For GCSE specific content
