Pathways Guide 2024 - Flipbook - Page 18
Religious Studies GCSE
What we aim to achieve
How will I be assessed?
You will learn to:
The course will be assessed by two written papers.
Each paper lasts for 1 hour 45 minutes and equates
to 50% of the total GCSE marks. There is a single tier
of assessment covering grades 9 - 1. There will be
short open questions, open response and extended
writing questions.
• Argue a case in speaking and writing
• Give reasons for your answers backed up with
explanations and examples
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of
religion and belief through a study of at least two
religions
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of
many of the moral and ethical issues which face
our society today
• Appreciate and understand the views of others
which will help to show future employers that
you are aware of people’s differences and beliefs.
• Stay up to date with current moral, ethical and
religious issues in the news
Course outline
You will be studying two components over the twoyear GCSE course.
• Component 1 - The study of religions: beliefs,
teachings and practices of Christians and Jews
What skills do I need?
Religious Studies is an interesting, engaging and
thought-provoking subject at GCSE requiring good
reading and writing skills. The key skills needed for
this include the ability to ask questions and give
answers that are explained in detail and supported
with examples. You must have an interest in
religious, moral and ethical issues and the ways in
which different individuals will respond to them.
The skills developed in Religious Studies support
those required for a wide range of subjects,
including other humanity-based subjects such
as Geography and History. Religious Studies is a
relevant academic qualification which is extremely
useful and well respected in any future education or
career.
• Component 2 - Thematic studies consisting of four
individual themes
1 Relationships and families (including sex,
marriage, divorce, families and gender equality)
2 Religion and life (including Big Bang Theory,
evolution, abortion, euthanasia and animal
experimentation)
3 Religion, peace and conflict (including violence,
terrorism, war, weapons of mass destruction,
forgiveness and reconciliation)
4 Religion, crime and punishment (including reasons
for crime, aims of punishment, treatment of
criminals and attitudes towards the death penalty)
Mr J Clarke - Team Leader - RS
jamie.clarke@attrust.org.uk
