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GCSE Religious Studies

Mathematics - Year 7

Click here to return to our Philosophy, Religion and Ethics curriculum home page

Below you will find more specific information about the curriculum in Religious Studies for students who have chosen this subject for GCSE, explaining to you what students will learn, when, why and how. There is also information about how parents/carers are able to support students in their learning, extra-curricular opportunities in this subject and how it links to other subjects and the wider world.

 Subject Key Concepts              

#1 Beliefs and Practices     #2 Sources of Wisdom    #3 Symbols and Actions     #4 Prayer, Worship and Reflection  

#5 Identity and Belonging     #6 Ultimate Questions     #7 Human Responsibility and Values    #8 Justice and Fairness

Please click here for Subject Key Concepts.

Curriculum Overview for the Autumn Term - Year 10

Term

Topic / Key Concepts

Specific Knowledge

Specific Skills

Autumn

Beliefs and Teachings - Christianity

 

·         The nature of God

·         God as omnipotent, loving and just

·         The oneness of God and the Trinity

·         Different Christian beliefs about Creation

·         The incarnation and Jesus, the Son of God

·         The Crucifixion

·         The resurrection and ascension

·         Resurrection and life after death

·         The afterlife and judgement

·         Heaven and Hell

·         Sin and salvation

·         The role of Christ in salvation

 

Key concepts: denominations, qualities of God, the Trinity, creation, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, life after death, judgement, heaven and hell, sin and salvation, atonement,

 

Assessment: Knowledge tests, practice exam questions

1, 2 & 3

 

·         Understand the importance of Christianity as a world faith

·         Consider and analyse what Christians believe about the Oneness of God and his qualities, and that there might be conflicting views

·         Consider the problems of evil and suffering

·         Understand different Christian beliefs about how the world was created

·         Understand the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the impact of them for Christians today

·         Analyse and evaluate beliefs about life after death and how they influence a Christian’s life

·         Understand the beliefs about original sin and salvation

 

 

Curriculum Overview for the Autumn Term - Year 11

Term

Topic / Key Concepts

Specific Knowledge

Specific Skills

Autumn

The Existence of God – Christianity & Islam

 

·         The Design Argument

·         The First Cause Argument

·         The argument from miracles

·         Further arguments against the existence of God

·         Special revelation and enlightenment

·         General revelation

·         Different ideas about the divine

·         The value of revelation and enlightenment

 

Key concepts: alternative ideas about the design and cause of the world, miracles, science disproving God, sources of knowledge about God.

 

Assessment: Knowledge tests, practice exam questions for the whole exam paper – Questions 1-5

 

·         Consider the design argument, the cosmological argument and their  strengths and weaknesses

·         Evaluate whether miracles prove the existence of God

·         Examine arguments against the existence of God based on science and the problem of evil and suffering

·         Examine special & general  revelation and enlightenment, as a source of knowledge about the divine; investigate their value

 

Useful documents:

Please click here for a PDF of curriculum overview for Year 10.

Please click here for a PDF of curriculum overview for Year 11.

While this information covers a broad range of areas, please do get in touch with the Subject Leader Mrs Wells if you have any questions.

Please click on the questions below to find out more.

Which exam board will students be examined by?

AQA

How are groups organised?

Classes are mixed ability. They have five one hour lessons per fortnight

What characteristics does a successful student have in this subject?

The most successful students are inquisitive and open minded. They work hard to learn the course content and apply it to the exam questions.

How will students learn at this level?

  • Taught lessons and power-points
  • Practising different exam skills
  • Discussion
  • Peer and teacher assessment
  • Group, pair and individual work
  • Homework that encourages and extends learning

How will students’ learning be assessed at this level?

There are two exams at the end of Year 11, each containing x5 questions

  1. 1 mark – multiple choice
  2. 2 marks – question basic answer
  3. 4 marks – for and against answer or two opinions
  4. 5 marks – same as question 4, but must include a quote as supporting evidence
  5. 12 marks – essay question, x3 paragraphs for, against and own opinion

Students will practice all of these questions and skills during the two years

When do key assessments take place?

8 units – assessments at the end of each taught unit

Mock exams etc – see exam timetable and school calendar

How can parents/carers support students’ learning?

Ensure students do all homework – will always be on SMHW

Help students learn the key words – help and support them to do this

Buy a revision guide

What equipment do students need for this subject?

Essential School Equipment

How does this subject link to other subjects?

English: written work and communication / presentation skills

What websites or resources may be helpful to support students’ learning?

http://www2.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062

Exam board Information

What extra-curricular or enrichment opportunities are available for students in this subject at this level?

There is a philosophy club that runs once a week, students should come along to debate contemporary issues and extend / use their knowledge and learning.

What sort of careers can this subject lead to?

Teaching, Social Work, Law, Police.

What does student work look like in this subject at this level?

http://www2.aqa.org.uk/subjects/religious-studies/gcse/religious-studies-a-8062

How does this subject support a broad and balanced curriculum, meeting the needs of all students, and developing traditional core skills?

Covers a range of contemporary topics that are essential for students moving into the world of work after school. We cover a range of philosophical, religious and ethical issues, allowing for a broad and balanced curriculum that covers the religions of Christianity and Islam.

Lessons contain a range of strategies that allow for stretch and challenge; all lessons are differentiated.

Core skills in relation to religion are also covered – for example basic skills such as knowing key terms in relation to the religions. There is also an emphasis on the students written English as they are marked on their SPaG

How does this subject promote creativity, critical thinking, practice, perseverance and resilience, and making links?

Students are continually required to make links about what they have learnt in relation to how they feel; how this impacts on the daily lives of believers; how secular or other religions might respond to this key idea; how historical or geographical factors might influence people’s beliefs etc Students are also encouraged to think critically about the learning and give their own, informed opinion.

Students are encouraged to persevere through the repetition of practice exam questions, feedback from marking and the use of formal assessments.

How does this subject encourage enrichment and the development of cultural capital, deep learning, and inclusivity?

When learning in this subject, students are encouraged to read round the topic areas, therefore extending and expanding their understanding. What they learn should allow them to make informed decisions about what they see beyond the classroom and school environment.

All students that learn PRE should be open to the ideas of others, be willing to listen to and speak about the view-points. This is implicit in the teaching of all KS4 lessons.