Key Stage 3
What will I learn in Year 7, 8 and 9?
Aspects of key Christian beliefs
Aspects of key Islamic beliefs
Aspects of the Hindu and Jewish beliefs through exploration of rites of passage.
Ultimate questions and moral issues
How will I learn?
You will learn how to use and apply knowledge, skills and understanding in practical tasks. You will learn through demonstration, practice, questioning and discussion.
What abilities, aptitudes, skills and interests will I need?
You need to be able to communicate your understanding to others. You will need to be able to work independently and with others. Come willing to learn and we will do the rest.
Key Stage 4
What will I learn in Year 10 and Year 11
Subjects for Study:
Paper 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices.
Students will be taught and awareness that religious traditions of Great Britain are, in the main, Christian, and that religious traditions in Great Britain are diverse. This knowledge will be applied throughout the assessment of the subject content, particularly in questions requiring evaluation of attitudes.
The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices in Christianity and Islam.
Christianity: Students will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity and their basis in Christian sources of wisdom and authority. They will be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate.
Students will study the influence of the beliefs, teachings and practices studied on individuals, communities and societies.
Common and divergent views within Christianity in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed will be included throughout.
Key beliefs: Nature of God, Creation, Beliefs about the afterlife and their importance.
Beliefs and teachings: Jesus Christ and Salvation.
Practices: Worship & festivals, The role of the church in the local and worldwide community.
Islam: Students will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Islam and their basis in Islamic sources of wisdom and authority. They will be able to refer to scripture and/or sacred texts where appropriate.
Students will study the influence of the beliefs, teachings and practices studied on individuals, communities and societies.
Common and divergent views within Islam in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed will be included throughout.
Key beliefs: Oneness of God, Nature of God, Predestinations and Life after death.
Authority: Prophethood, Holy books.
Practices: Worship and Duties and festivals
Paper 2: Period study and British depth study
Paper 2: Thematic study of 4 theme.
Students will consider different religious, philosophical and ethical arguments and their impact and influence in the modern world. They will develop an awareness of different perspectives on the issues studied, within and/or between religions, as well as non-religious views. Students will demonstrate their understanding of religion through their application of teachings from religion and beliefs and through specific references to sources of wisdom and authority including scripture and/or sacred texts as appropriate.
Themes: Religion and life, Religion, peace and conflict, Religion, crime and punishment and Religion, relationships and families
Religion and life:
· The origins and value of the universe
· The origins and value of human life.
Religion, peace and conflict:
· Religion, violence, terrorism and war
· Religion in the 21st Century.
Religion, crime and punishment:
· Religion, crime and the causes of crime
· Religion and punishment
Religion, relationships and families
· Nature and purpose of family life
· Family planning, marriage and divorce
How will I learn?
You will learn how to use and apply knowledge, skills and understanding in a variety of settings. You will learn through demonstration, practice, questioning and discussion. There will be peer assessment and teaching as well as self-assessment. Independence is a key component of GCSE studies and is encouraged. We will use technology as well as more traditional teaching settings. You will be expected to perform group work, pair and independent study.
Assessment overview
Paper 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices
What is assessed?
Beliefs, teachings and practices of two from the following religions:
· Christianity
· Islam
How it is assessed:
• Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
• 96 marks (plus 3 marks for Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG))
• 50% of GCSE
Questions:
The questions within each religion have a common structure of two five-part questions of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 marks plus one 12 mark question.
Each religion is marked out of 48.
Paper 2: Thematic studies
What is assessed?
Religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes:
• Theme A Religion and Life
· Theme B: Religion, relationships and families
• Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict.
• Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment.
How it is assessed:
• Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
• 96 marks (plus 3 marks for Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG))
• 50% of GCSE
Questions:
Each theme has a common structure of one five-part question of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 marks.
Each theme is marked out of 24.
What abilities, aptitudes, skills and interests will I need?
Research, analysis and presentation skills.
The ability to understand the meaning of written documents.
Organisational and time management skills.
Team working and communication skills.
Writing skills, including accurate referencing and the ability to construct a reasoned argument.
IT skills.
Empathy and the ability to understand people and take on board others’ views.
The ability to work methodically and accurately.
Independence of mind and the ability to think for yourself.
What opportunities can this course and qualification lead to?
Further education lecturer
Higher education lecturer
Primary school teacher
Secondary school teacher
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
Advice worker
Archivist
Broadcast journalist
Charity officer
Civil Service administrator
Editorial assistant
Newspaper journalist
Social worker
Youth worker