The Aims of Religious Studies are:

At Arco Academy, our intent is to teach students to explore different beliefs and attitudes with consideration to how they holistically blend in the community around them. Students should consider different beliefs and attitudes- both religious and non-religious issues, in contemporary British society. Students are taught to respect all religions and variations of views whilst learning and challenging their own perceptions. We incorporate this in our lessons, assemblies and through our cultural calendar.

• Students should be aware that the religious traditions of Great Britain are, in the main, Christian, and that religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse.
• Understanding other religious beliefs such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, whilst including non-religious beliefs; atheism and humanism.  
  
• Knowledge is applied through the assessment of beliefs and practices taught in KS3, and further explored thematically in KS4; linked by Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural values. 
  
• Building knowledge, skills and understanding needed to respect differences, improve independence and responsibility, by making the most of their own abilities and those of others. 
  
• Through engagement, students will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own values and attitudes towards religious issues. 
  
• Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture by forming analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills.