At Key Stage 4 we offer a broad programme of study which involves in depth study of the philosophies, beliefs, practices and ethics of Christianity and Islam.
At Key Stage 4 we offer full course GCSE in Religious Studies. We follow the AQA exam board for Religious Studies A where our two chosen religions of study are Christianity and Islam. Within these two chosen religions, students will study beliefs and practices. Our four chosen thematic units of study are Religion and Life, Religion and Crime, Religion, Peace and Conflict and Relationships and Families.
Christian Beliefs and Practices
Students are made aware that Christianity is one of the diverse religious traditions and beliefs in Great Britain today and that the main religious tradition in Great Britain is Christianity. Students will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity using sources of wisdom and authority. Students will study the influence of Christian beliefs, teachings and practice on the lives of individuals, communities and societies. Students will study key Christian beliefs, Jesus Christ and salvation, worship and festivals and the role of the church in the local and worldwide community.
Islam Beliefs and Practices
Students are taught about the diverse nature of Islam both in Britain and around the world. Students study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Islam and their basis in Islamic sources of wisdom and authority. Students will learn about a range of Islamic perspectives, for example, Sunni and Shia Islam. Students will study key beliefs such as Tawhid and the nature of God, Sources of authority such as holy books, Islamic worship and Islamic duties and festivals.
Thematic Studies
Students will study four religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes. Students are made aware of different religious perspectives on the issues studied within and between religious and non-religious beliefs such as atheism and humanism. Students also study religious, philosophical and ethical arguments related to the issues raised, and their impact and influence on the modern world. The four chosen themes are:
Religion and Life
Students are taught to explain contrasting beliefs on the issues of abortion, euthanasia and animal experimentation, origins of the universe and origins of human life with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and Islam.
Religion and Crime
Students are taught to explain contrasting beliefs on the issues of corporal punishment, the death penalty and forgiveness with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and Islam
Religion, Peace and Conflict
Students are taught to explain contrasting beliefs on the issues of violence, weapons of mass destruction and pacifism with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and Islam.
Relationships and Families
Students are taught to explain contrasting beliefs on the issues of contraception, sexual relationships before marriage and homosexual relationships with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and Islam.
Assessment
Assessment in philosophy and ethics at key stage four is in the form of summative assessment exam questions at the end of each topic covered. These assessments capture the progress.
Students are making helps teachers to know which topics or concepts students are struggling with and therefore will need to re-teach so students fully understand the skill or concept.
All students will follow AQA GCSE Religious Studies A 9-1.
Exam Distribution
Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices
What's assessed?
Beliefs, teachings and practices of: Islam and Christianity.
Written exam:
1 hour 45 minutes
96 marks, plus 6 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
50% of GCSE
Each religion has a common structure of two five-part questions of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 marks.
Each religion is marked out of 48
Component 2: Thematic studies
What's assessed?
Either four 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: Relationships and Families.
How it's assessed
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
50% of GCSE
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.
Additional support
Students can access Champions Hour to receive support with their revision.
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