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.
A lesson suitable for GCSE or A-level to introduce Jeremy Bentham's Act Utilitarianism. The main focus is on Bentham's 'Principle or Utility' and how it can be applied to moral decision making. The lesson gives a comprehensive introduction to action based Utilitarianism and includes several moral dilemmas for students to apply to the theory. The main task gives students a range of essay based questions to choose from to argue either in favour or against the 'Principle of Utility'.
GCSE lesson on the teachings of Jesus, including focus on the 'Sermon on the Mount' and the importance of Jesus' sacrifice. Follows the 'NEW' Edexcel GCSE specification.
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.
A lesson that is equally suitable to KS3, KS4 or KS5 and to all abilities - the issue of abortion is discussed through a number of activities centred around the moral and legal interpretations of abortion. Perfect as an introductory lesson.
KS3 lesson on the Bible as a source of authority in Christianity following the NEW SACRE KS3 specification for Religious Studies. The focus of the lesson is on independent and peer-to-peer learning and encourages the use of HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills). Also ideal as a recap or 'skeleton' lesson for KS4 students.
A GCSE or A-level lesson introducing Situation Ethics and Joseph Fletcher's core principle of Agape. Introduces the Working and Fundamental principles which govern moral decision making in Situation Ethics. Each task is designed and differentiated to work either as written work or class based discussion. The attached work sheet gives a summary of Situation Ethics which students have found very helpful for revision.
NEW Edexcel GCSE RS specification lesson on Christian Teaching on Family Planning including sources of wisdom and authority from the Catholic Church and the Bible. Using the NEW 1-9 level descriptors for GCSE.
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.
GCSE lesson on the Holy Trinity in Christianity, exploring Christian beliefs through quotes from the Bible. Follows the 'NEW' Edexcel GCSE specification.
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 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 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.
GCSE lesson on the Christian and Islamic responses to abortion. Includes reference to Christian teachings and sources of wisdom and authority as well as a GCSE exam question WITH a model answer in line with the Edexcel specification up to 2017.
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.
A GCSE lesson introducing the concept of euthanasia and the different types of euthanasia. This lesson asks students to reflect on their personal views of end of life decisions and is taught through four case studies that allow students to immerse themselves into specific situations where euthanasia becomes an option.
A GCSE or A-level lesson comparing the UK law on euthanasia with the legal view in Switzerland and the Netherlands (where euthanasia is currently legal under certain conditions) as well as reference to the United Nations Human Rights and how they can be interpreted as part of the euthanasia debate. This lesson has been planned as group work with subsequent presentations to the class, but can equally be delivered as paired work and also works for independent work. Students normally respond very well to the variety of legal perspectives on euthanasia and I have typically found the topic of what would be the 'perfect' legal response to euthanasia an interesting option for further class debate.
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.
NEW GCSE Edexcel RS specification on Christian attitudes to sexual relationships with a strong focus on independent learning and interpretation of sources of wisdom and authority from the Bible. Main task includes detailed information sheet about non-religious attitudes with a focus on legal changes. Video starter task also included.
GCSE lesson on the attitude to divorce in the UK, including the legality of divorce as well as viewpoints from Protestant and Catholic Christians. Should be used with the worksheet and information PPT. Follows the 'NEW' Edexcel GCSE specification.
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.
