I am curreny teaching across the Key Stages as the Head of Religious Studies in a comprehensive secondary school. Previously I have led a RS department in an inner-city school and also taught Humanities including experience of teaching Geography at KS3, as well as History at KS3 and KS4 and Sociology at KS5. I'm a Religious Studies and Philosophy specialist, having studied Philosophy at university and taught RS at KS3, KS4 and KS5.
I am curreny teaching across the Key Stages as the Head of Religious Studies in a comprehensive secondary school. Previously I have led a RS department in an inner-city school and also taught Humanities including experience of teaching Geography at KS3, as well as History at KS3 and KS4 and Sociology at KS5. I'm a Religious Studies and Philosophy specialist, having studied Philosophy at university and taught RS at KS3, KS4 and KS5.
NEW GCSE RS specification following the Edexcel curriculum. This lesson focuses on the ethical theories of Situation Ethics and Natural Law and how they can be applied to the moral issue of family planning as it appears in Christianity. A brief introduction to both Situation Ethics and Natural Law is followed by an opportunity for students to apply core principles of both theories to the issue of family planning.
NOTE: This is a follow-on lesson based on previous student knowledge of family planning and Christian views and attitudes to this issue. Alternatively, it can work as a free-standing introduction to Situation Ethics and Natural Law.
Introduction to Christian denominations focusing on a comparison of conformist and non-conformist groups. Great as an introductory lesson for KS3 with the opportunity of a very creative lesson. Alternatively suitable for use as a GCSE lesson for students to form a fuller understanding of divergent Christian views. Also relevant as a KS5 revision lesson. Focusing on the Protestant and Catholic divide as well as introducing several non-conformist denominations including Quakers, Baptists, Presbyterians, Evangelicals and Church of England. Worksheet goes through some core beliefs so that students can pick out differences between each group.
A Philosophy for Children lesson focused on moral evil and the role and responsibility of humans as the primary cause of suffering. Explore the reason why people pray to God and how God should respond to prayers relating to evil and suffering.
GCSE lesson on the use of different types of prayer in Christianity, with specific focus on the difference between extempore and formulaic prayer. Incorporating the 'Lord's prayer' and a creative activity where students can create their own extempore prayer.
NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification lesson on the purpose and importance of marriage for Christians. Comparison of Christian and non-religious views regarding the importance of marriage in the UK today.
A GCSE or A-level lesson introducing the Hindu deity Brahman and the concept of unity under one God. Includes a visual starter for students to analyse pictures of Hindu deities to understand Brahman's characteristics through symbolism. Main task focuses on the use of sources of wisdom and authority from the Upanishads. Students then get a chance to be creative and practice their persuasive writing by creating a 'letter of application' from Brahman's perspective for the position of God.
NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification on Matters of Life and Death. Lesson focusing on sources of wisdom and authority from Christianity concerning attitudes to and belief in life after death. The main task is a practice GCSE question following the new specification requirements with a broken down student-friendly mark scheme for self- or peer-assessment. Plenary includes a plenary wheel with eight possible plenaries which always goes down really well with students.
NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification on Matters of Life and Death. A lesson inspired by philosophical enquiry and focusing on the Humanist response to belief in life after death. An excellent lesson to get students thinking about 'life after death' in general and therefore suitable as a KS3 lesson on 'big questions' as well as for KS4 on non religious arguments against belief in life after death, or alternatively as a revision lesson for KS5. A very student centred lesson with plenty of opportunities for independent enquiry and team work as well as active participation.
A lesson exploring the relationship between the Tri-Murti and Brahman in Hinduism focusing on the characteristics of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva in relation to Brahma as a whole. Suitable for all Key Stages - but especially effective at GCSE or A-level. Video clip to play in conjunction with slide 4 - what is a mum?.
A GCSE or A-level lesson exploring four pro-choice arguments for abortion; personhood, women's rights, self-defence and the double effect doctrine. Students are asked to investigate and then respond to these arguments in terms of their moral and ethical value. This is a peer-teach lesson where students are split into groups and carousel from teacher to teacher to gather content. I usually pick the most able students as peer teachers and the whole class enjoys a 'day off' from their normal teacher.
A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level to introduce John Stuart Mill's development of Jeremy Bentham's concept of Utilitarianism. Introduces 'Rule Utilitarianism' as well as the notions of higher and lower pleasure and allows students to compare the 'Principle of Utility' with the 'Greatest Happiness Principle'.
A GCSE or A-level lesson exploring the Christian view on the purpose of life using sources of wisdom and authority including Aquinas' Natural Law, the Biblical creation story and the 10 Commandments. I have used this lesson to introduce the topic of abortion and euthanasia and get students to understand the underlying values and principles which shape the Christian beliefs on the purpose of life. There is plenty of scope to teach this lesson through class discussion which always goes down well on this topic.
A GCSE or A-level lesson on the argument for the 'Quality of Life' in relation to abortion and euthanasia. This lesson focuses on John Finnis' argument FOR abortion and euthanasia based on 'quality of life' and goes into Peter Vardy's 'stages of rationality' argument FOR abortion. The main task is very creative and embeds some Literacy elements, as students have produce a leaflet arguing either for or against abortion and euthanasia, based on 'quality of life'. This can be done individually, in pairs or groups.
A GCSE or A-level lesson exploring the Christian view on the value of life using sources of wisdom and authority as well as investigating how the Hippocratic Oath links to euthanasia. I have used this lesson to introduce the topic of euthanasia and get students to understand the underlying values and principles which shape the Christian beliefs on the value of life. There is plenty of scope to teach this lesson through class discussion which always goes down well on this topic.
A three-lesson short term scheme of work on abortion from a philosophical, legal and Humanist perspective suitable for GCSE Religious Studies.
Start with the lesson on abortion as a moral issue, followed by the legal attitudes to abortion in the UK and finish with the Humanist perspective of pro-choice argument for abortion. An excellent way to start teaching about this controversial issue.
AQA syllabus Religious Studies for Philosophy and Ethics. An A-level lesson introducing the concept of philosophy with a particular focus on exploring meta-ethics. There is an outline of the major branches of philosophy introduced through video clips from popular Hollywood films to allow students to connect with the quite abstract nature of philosophical inquiry; meta-physics, epistemology, meta-ethics, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language and ethics. If watching all clips and allowing for discussion of student understanding, this can last a full 60 minute lesson, This is followed by a peer-teach style lesson on meta-ethics, where peer-teachers are chosen from among the students (I usually choose high ability) and the rest of the class carousel between them to gather information. This is followed by a reflection using De Bono's Hats. The meta-ethics element of the lesson can also be stretched to last 60 minutes, making this cover 2 sessions. This lesson always divides the class into those inspired and those who feel their brain has been squashed - I love teaching it.
A three lesson short-term scheme of work suitable for GCSE or A-level Religious Studies. A strong focus on the moral, legal and philosophical responses to euthanasia. Start with the introduction to euthanasia lesson, followed by euthanasia and the law and finally the lesson on palliative care. The perfect way for students to engage in the non-religious arguments for and against euthanasia and consider how far the law is fir for purpose and if palliative care can offer a genuine alternative.
NEW GCSE Edexcel Religious Studies short-term scheme of work covering Christian, non-religious and non-belief in life after death including reference to sources of wisdom and authority. Can be taught in any order.
A GCSE lesson introducing Fair Trade and the ethical and moral issues it addresses. No previous knowledge of ethics or morality are necessary and the lesson is based around plenty of case studies for students to get their teeth stuck into. I have used this as a stand-alone lesson with KS3, or as the start of a Fair Trade project with KS4 and as part of a Business Ethics topic at A-level and found students to be very receptive.
A lesson within the broader topic of 'Belonging' investigating the significance of the Amrit ceremony for Sikhs including the meaning behind the 5Ks and how the Khalsa can establish a sense of belonging.
