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Philosophy and RE

Curriculum Intent

Our intent is for students to think like philosophers — to question deeply, reason carefully and reflect courageously. At Orleans Park, Philosophy is a universal subject from Year 7 to Year 11. Every student engages with the fundamental questions that shape human experience: What can we know? What is real? What is good? What does it mean to be human? Philosophy is often described as the love of wisdom and has historically been the foundation of all academic disciplines. From science and mathematics to politics, psychology, religion and the arts, philosophical enquiry lies at the heart of humanity’s search for knowledge and understanding. Through engagement with diverse religious traditions, philosophical theories, ethical frameworks and worldviews, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to navigate complex ideas and contemporary issues. They learn to construct arguments, evaluate perspectives, make connections across traditions and reflect on the impact of beliefs and values on individuals and society. Our department's vision is to be C.U.R.I.O.U.S. — developing Critical Thinking, Understanding, Reasoning, Imagination, Open-Mindedness, Unity and Self-Reflection. These values underpin our curriculum, pedagogy and assessment across all key stages. Our aim is not only academic success, but the development of thoughtful, reflective and ethically aware individuals who are prepared to engage with the complexities of the modern world.

Key Stage 3

All students study Philosophy in Years 7 and 8 and continue in Year 9 through a rotation model.

  • Year 7 introduces students to the foundations of philosophical enquiry through questions about knowledge, belief and reality. Students encounter a range of religious and philosophical worldviews whilst developing disciplinary language, critical thinking and evaluative skills.

  • Year 8 deepens students’ understanding of identity, morality and human experience. Through the study of ethics, personal identity, suffering, religious pluralism and conflict, students begin to synthesise ideas from different traditions and apply philosophical reasoning to contemporary issues.

  • Year 9 provides opportunities for students to engage with contemporary and applied philosophy through bioethical enquiry. 

  • Students interested in further philosophical study may also choose the PRE Option Pathway, which offers deeper engagement with questions concerning reality, religion, meaning, interconnectedness and culture. This pathway develops students’ confidence in independent enquiry, scholarly discussion and extended philosophical writing.

Key Stage 4

  • All students continue to study Philosophy in Years 10 and 11, regardless of GCSE pathway. Students explore themes including tolerance, meaning, education, injustice and African philosophy. Through these enquiries, students apply philosophical thinking to social, cultural and ethical issues whilst developing increasing intellectual independence.

  • Students who choose GCSE PRE (Eduqas Route A) study Christianity and Buddhism alongside contemporary ethical issues including life and death, relationships, human rights, and good and evil. Students develop skills in textual analysis, argument construction and evaluative judgement through a range of retrieval, written and examination-based assessments.

Key Stage 5

A Level Philosophy (AQA)

  • A Level Philosophy is open to all students, including those who have not studied GCSE PRE. Students explore major philosophical debates in Moral Philosophy, Epistemology, Metaphysics of God and Metaphysics of Mind. Through engagement with primary sources and scholarly argument, students develop conceptual precision, analytical rigour and independent philosophical scholarship.

Where can PRE take me?

Philosophy is the heartbeat of all learning. Every academic discipline began as a philosophical enquiry into the nature of reality, knowledge, truth or human experience. The sciences emerged from questions about the natural world, politics from questions about justice and power, psychology from questions about the mind, and theology from questions about meaning and existence.

By learning how to question assumptions, analyse arguments, evaluate evidence and engage with different perspectives, students develop skills that are valued across all subjects and professions. Philosophy provides strong foundations for fields including Law, Politics, Journalism, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, International Relations, Education, Medicine and the Arts. Most importantly, Philosophy equips students with the intellectual confidence, curiosity and wisdom to engage thoughtfully with the world around them and to navigate life’s most important questions.

Philosophy & RE Curriculum & Assessment Overview