About the units
There are 21 units (including the generic and specific alternatives in key stage 3, together with six school-designed units), which form a complete key-stage plan. Each unit is designed to be taught over half a term, which may be in blocks or weekly lessons. Unit 9A 'Where are we going? Rites of passage' can be taught over half a term or extended to a whole term. The suggested framework sets out a minimum entitlement and schools are free to supplement this and decide the depth of coverage. Teachers may need to adjust the units to suit pupils' needs and the time available. Time allocation
Each unit is designed to be taught in approximately 7 hours, except unit 9A 'Where are we going? Rites of passage', which can be expanded to be taught over a full term. This time allocation is based on recommendations in the 1995 review of the curriculum and QCA's research on the range of times allocated by schools to RE. The times are indicative only; they are consistent with DfES guidance on recommended time for RE in circular 1/94. They do not constitute a recommended teaching time.
Teaching and learning approaches The units suggest a range of approaches to teaching and learning, including:
- direct teaching, through whole-class and small group sessions;
- opportunities for pupils to apply their learning, either on their own or with others with varying degrees of support;
- opportunities for pupils to reflect on their own learning.
The approaches may need to be adapted to meet pupils' needs.
Example long-term plan
Below is an example of how the units can be organised into a long-term plan. This is only one model. It is up to schools to decide whether they wish to use this model in full, or to customise individual units or combinations of units to suit their own circumstances.
How the units build on and link with each other, and their teaching time
 |
| Unit |
Unit title |
Unit builds on |
Unit links with |
Approximate teaching time (hours) |
|
| 7A |
Where do we look for God? |
All key stage 2 units |
9B |
7 |
|
| 7B |
What does justice mean to Christians? |
All key stage 2 units |
8A, 8B |
7 |
|
| 7C |
Religious figure (generic) |
All key stage 2 units |
8C, 8D |
7 |
|
| 7D |
Who was Gotama Buddha? |
|
8C, 8D |
7 |
|
| 7E |
What are we doing to the environment? |
7A |
8D, 9A, 9B |
7 |
|
| 8A |
What does Jesus' Incarnation mean for Christians today? |
7A, 7C |
8B, 8C, 9B |
7 |
|
| 8B |
What does the Resurrection of Jesus mean for Christians today? |
7C, 8A |
8C, 9A |
7 |
|
| 8C |
Beliefs and practice (generic) |
7A, 8C |
8E, 9A, 9D |
7 |
|
| 8D |
Beliefs and practice: how do the beliefs of Sikhs affect their actions? |
7B, 7E |
8F |
7 |
|
| 8E |
A visit to a place of worship (generic) |
8C |
9A, 9D |
7 |
|
| 8F |
What makes a gurdwara special to Sikhs? |
8D |
work in key stage 4 |
7 |
|
| 9A |
Where are we going? Rites of passage |
7A, 8B |
9C |
7/14 |
|
| 9B |
Where did the universe come from? |
7A, 7E |
work in key stage 4 |
7 |
|
| 9C |
Why do we suffer? |
7A, 8A, 8B |
work in key stage 4 |
7 |
|
| 9D |
Why are some places special to religious believers? |
8A, 8B, 8C, 8D |
work in key stage 4 |
7 |
|
