Ethics

The Ethics section of Complete RE has been compiled to support teachers working with students on many of the perennial and emerging philosophical and moral issues in RE. As such, it sits outside but alongside the suggested scheme of work for Key Stage 3, since many departments choose to engage with this sort of material only when their students have reached Key Stage 4.

It has therefore been provided as a stand-alone section for those wishing to tackle some of these themes and issues, especially for those who go on to work with their students via GCSE or GCSE short courses.

The section is presented in four main areas:

• Moral and Ethical Issues
• Philosophical Problems
• Religion and Science
• Life and the Afterlife.

Clearly, it is not essential to follow the order in which these units are presented, but there should be some sort of structure with a coherent rationale should OFSTED come to inspect the department.

The materials provided have been presented in this structure to make the most of a more thematic approach to moral education and education about relationships in accordance with the needs and wishes of many RE teachers. As they stand, they would make a great scheme of work sequentially for students in Year 9 – the place where many RE teachers believe this material can be dealt with most effectively. Students have some experience to draw on by then, and also have appropriate levels of maturity to deal with some of the more difficult material. It is also a good time to raise some of these issues as a way of preventing potentially harmful or self-destructive behaviours.