Ken Stimpson Community School offers three core subjects under the umbrella of Humanities. Both History and Geography are offered at Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level. Religious Studies is offered at KS3 and GCSE.
In RS we want our students to have the opportunity to explore the diverse and multicultural nature of contemporary British Society. At Ken Stimpson students will be encouraged in their RS lessons to learn from different religions, beliefs, values and traditions, while exploring their own beliefs and questions of meaning. It challenges pupils to reflect on, consider, analyse, interpret and evaluate issues of truth, belief, faith and ethics and to communicate their responses. Whilst the main religious tradition in Great Britain is Christianity, students will also look at world religions, to develop an understanding of how different faiths can help shape our culture, and the impact that it, and religious figures, have had on society. All schemes of learning aim to develop students’ religious literacy, as well as their Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural understanding. Students will also explore non-religious world views, such as Humanism and atheism, to gain a greater understanding of the wider world we live in. We also include philosophy and ethics to give students the opportunity to engage in a wide range of debates to encourage curiosity, passion, and engagement in the world they live.
We recognize that our school and wider community has people of all different faiths and beliefs. We want to share them with all our students to foster tolerance, acceptance and understanding for all students. Our intent is that the curriculum inspires understanding and respects the values of the community and individuals, in an era of globalisation and an increasingly interdependent world.
Our rigorous curriculum also supports the academic progress of the students in other subjects introducing them to concepts that they explore within other areas of the school such as English, History and Science. This subject is now also available to choose as a GCSE option as we recognise that many students which to study the subject to expand their future choices beyond post 16.