Structure

At GCSE, students follow the AQA Religious Studies A (Non-Textual) course. This course challenges students with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues. Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to work with abstract ideas, leadership and research skills. All these skills will help prepare them for further study.

Content overview

At the start of Year 9, students complete additional foundation work to supplement their Key Stage 3 learning. This content does not count towards their GCSE but gives them a solid foundation for the GCSE content in Religious Studies. Students will study:

An overview of the major world religions, atheism, and ethics

Afterlife

Creation

Evil

Who is God?

In the second part of the spring term of Year 9, students begin the GCSE content:

Christianity – Beliefs and Teachings

Christianity – Practices

Islam - Beliefs and Teachings

Islam - Practices

Theme A: Relationships and Families

Theme B: Religion and Life

Theme D: Religion, Peace, and Conflict

Theme E: Religion, Crime, and Punishment