Religious Education

Throughout KS3, students learn to form their opinions on different ethical and moral topics. Religious Education allows them to discuss big questions and improve their evaluative skills. It is an opportunity to develop knowledge of religious and non-religious points of view and allows them to explore some of the biggest influences in society. In Year 7, students will study the eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.  They will also focus on the cycle of birth and life after death. Then in Year 8 they will look at prejudice and discrimination, poverty, religion in the media, then science and religion. Year 9 will cover the Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity -life of Jesus and Islam, Then focus on ethics and philosophy and alternative religions and movements.

RE is optional at Key Stage Four. The following is key information regarding the course.

Exam board

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (9-1) -8062 (from 2018) – Syllabus & Specimen papers on the AQA Website http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062/assessment-resources

Exam Information

There are 2 papers:

1. The Study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices (50% of GCSE). Religions to be studied are Christianity and Islam.
2. Thematic Studies (50% of GCSE). Themes to be studied are Relationships and Families, Religion and Life, Crime and Punishment and Peace and Conflict.

Past Papers Link: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062/assessment-resources

Year 7 trip – Buddhist Vihara

Year 11 trip – Candle Conference

Studying theology and religious studies allows you to explore how religious beliefs and practices shape and influence the world we live in.  Studying theology and religious studies gives you a thorough understanding of the major world religions, their historical development and their relationship with the world we live in. Through exploring all aspects of theology, ministry and religious studies, you gain insight into the theological, ethical, cultural, political and philosophical issues of religion.

It would be easier to list those careers you can't go into following this degree than those you can. Graduates go into a very wide range of careers. Whilst some do enter full-time religious ministry, the majority go into careers that are not based in religion at all. These include academic research and teaching, the civil service, the public sector, personnel work, media, business and management; a large proportion, around 40% continue to study at a higher level.

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Further education teacher
• Higher education lecturer
• Primary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advice worker
• Archivist
• Charity officer
• Civil Service administrator
• Community development worker
• Editorial assistant
• Newspaper journalist
• Social worker
• Youth worker
• Law
• the National Health Service (NHS)

Useful websites and books:

• GCSEPod: Religious Studies
• Revision World: GCSE Religious Studies
• Padlet: Religious Studies revision guides

AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Christianity Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN-13: 978-0-19-837033-8
AQA GCSE Religious Studies A: Islam Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN-13: 978-0-19-837034-5
AQA GCSE (9-1) Religious Studies Specification A Publisher: Hodder Education ISBN-13: 9781471866852

Reading List
RE Reading List