The Religious Studies Department at Junior King’s aims to awaken the children’s spiritual understanding and help them to begin the search for answers to the great questions of life. We also try to establish an environment in which children learn to be reconciled with people who hold different opinions. As a Christian foundation school our primary focus is on Christianity and the Christian heritage of this country, but we also explore some of the other world faiths, as detailed below.

Junior House

In Year 3 the children receive an overview of the Old Testament. This includes Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the Exodus, as well as key figures such as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Elijah and Daniel. In Year 4 the life of Jesus is studied in some detail and visits to local churches are arranged.

Middle School

In Year 5 we investigate the cultural differences which exist in our society by looking closely at four of the major world faiths: Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism and Islam. Where possible we invite in speakers from those faiths or we organise trips to local places of worship. In Year 6 we return to Christianity, studying those figures of the Old Testament who do not feature in the Common Entrance syllabus and doing a small independent project in preparation for coursework.

Upper School

Years 7 and 8 follow the Common Entrance syllabus, which covers many of the main Bible passages and some contemporary issues associated with them. There is ample opportunity for discussion and the beginnings of critical thinking at all levels. All children taking Common Entrance complete a piece of independent research on a major world faith as a piece of coursework. Some children take the Scholarship exam instead of Common Entrance.