Religious Studies

Key Stage 3

What will I learn in Year 7 and 8?

Aspects of key Christian beliefs
Aspects of key Islamic beliefs
Ultimate questions

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 9 and Year 10

For Year 9 they will be studying the course: AQA Spec A GCSE (9–1) – This specification is currently awaiting accreditation from Ofqual so might be subject to change.

Subjects for Study:

Paper 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices.

Students will consider different beliefs and attitudes to religious and non-religious issues in contemporary British society. 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. They include Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism, as well as other religious and non-religious beliefs such as atheism and humanism. 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, human rights and social justice.

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, human rights and social justice:

· Human rights

· Wealth and poverty

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

Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices

Paper 1

What’s assessed

Beliefs, teachings and practices of two from the following religions:

· Christianity

· Islam

How it’s assessed

• Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

• 96 marks (plus 5 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’s assessed

Religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes:

• Theme B: Religion and life.

• Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict.

• Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment.

• Theme F: Religion, human rights and social justice.

How it’s assessed

• Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

• 96 marks (plus 5 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 will I learn in Year 11?

UNIT 2: This unit requires students to study the relationship between Christianity and life in the UK. There are four sections covering believing in God, matters of life and death, marriage and the family, and religion and community cohesion.

UNIT 8: This unit requires students to study the relationship between religion and society, especially in the UK. There are four sections covering rights and responsibilities, environmental and medical issues, peace and conflict, and crime and punishment. Students are required to base their studies on Christianity and Islam.

How will I learn?

Assessment will be through a one-and-a-half-hour examination. The exam will be divided into four sections and students will be expected to choose one of the two questions set on each section, i.e. four questions in total. Each question is sub-divided into four parts structured on an incline of difficulty.

Re-read your class notes.
Copy out key notes onto small revision cards.
Write key words and meanings on sticky notes where you’ll see them everyday.
Try doing some timed practice questions.

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.