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Sanctity of Life and Quality of Life – KS3 Ethics / Religious Education (RE) / Religious Studies (RS) Lesson (PowerPoint)

Overview:
This fully-resourced KS3 lesson explores two key ethical concepts: the sanctity of life and the quality of life. Students compare the views of Thomas Aquinas and Joseph Fletcher, examining how their beliefs influence moral decisions around abortion, euthanasia, and human dignity. The lesson includes real-life case studies, religious teachings, and opportunities for extended writing and debate.

What’s Included:

• A 23-slide PowerPoint presentation with structured activities
• DO NOW multiple choice starter quiz to activate prior knowledge
• Clear explanations of Aquinas’ Natural Law and Fletcher’s Situational Ethics
• Vocabulary development around key terms like sanctity, agape, precepts, abortion, euthanasia, and quality of life
• Case study: Kay Gilderdale and assisted suicide
• Structured writing support using PEE (Point, Example, Explain)
• A Blue Zone independent writing activity with success criteria, key words, and a challenge question
• Model answer for review and improvement
• MWB tasks, quote analysis, and ethical scenarios to support engagement

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the meaning of sanctity of life and quality of life
• Explore how Aquinas and Fletcher approach moral issues differently
• Reflect on how religious and secular views shape ethical decisions
• Develop extended writing skills through structured response tasks

Target Audience:

Key Stage 3 (KS3) students
Suitable for Year 9 or high-ability Year 8
Can be used as a standalone resource or part of a wider Ethics / Religious Education (RE) / Religious Studies (RS) curriculum