Key Staff
Head of Department – Mr I Dover
Course Information
RPE (Religion, Philosophy, and Ethics) is a subject focused around introducing students to a range of perspectives about the world they may not have encountered before, allowing them to grapple with some deep questions about what it means to be human. This is done by introducing students to a range of religious, non-religious, and philosophical ideas and thinking through them to formulate their own reasoned perspective on each idea.
To help students do this, they will look at topics through disciplinary lenses, which ask students to consider the question from a specific view and think about how that shapes the responses that develop. There are three main disciplines that we use at Cambourne Village College:
Theology – ‘Thinking through believing’ – This involves exploring questions and answers that arise from a range of perspectives within religions and worldviews.
Philosophy – ‘Thinking through thinking’ – This involves exploring questions and answers that arise when considering the nature of reality, knowledge, existence, morality. Students will also grapple with the ‘why’ of belief from an outside perspective.
Social Sciences – ‘Thinking through living’ – This involves exploring questions and answers that arise in relation to how beliefs (religious or not) impact on individuals, communities, societies, and the lives of others.
Most topics that students study will consider the content through a mix of disciplines to allow students to engage fully with the academic challenges of the subject.
KS4 RPE – What will I learn?
The course is split into two components:
1. The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices
Pupils study the influence of the beliefs, teachings and practices on individuals, communities and societies. Pu-pils are required to learn about two religions in detail. The two religions that they will be studying are Christianity and Islam.
2. Thematic studies
The pupils will then apply this understanding to four ethical themes. These will be:
Religion and life:
This topic explores the biggest questions about existence: How did the universe and life begin? What is our re-sponsibility to the planet and animals? Students will debate issues like abortion, euthanasia, and life after death, comparing scientific ideas with religious beliefs. It’s a chance to think deeply about the value of life and our place in the world.
Religion, peace and conflict:
Why do wars happen, and can peace ever truly be achieved? This topic looks at causes of conflict, religious atti-tudes to war, and ideas like Just War theory, pacifism, and holy war. Students will also consider forgiveness, peace-making, and whether weapons of mass destruction can ever be justified. It’s about understanding how faith shapes responses to violence.
Religion, crime and punishment:
What makes something right or wrong? Why do people commit crimes? This topic examines justice, morality, and punishment—from prison sentences to the death penalty. Students will explore religious views on for-giveness, retribution, and reform, and tackle big ethical questions about good and evil actions in society.
Religion, human rights and social justice:
This topic focuses on fairness and equality in the modern world. Students will learn about human rights, freedom of belief, and how religions respond to prejudice and discrimination. Issues like poverty, wealth, and the work of religious charities are explored, helping students understand how faith influences social justice and global re-sponsibility.
Course Guides