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Westfield Secondary School

Religious Studies

Overview

Introduction

Students gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They 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 post-16 study and the wider world.

Qualification

GCSE

Awarding body

AQA

Course leader

Mr D Dickinson

Assessment

  • Examination: 100%
    • Paper 1: the study of religions— beliefs, teachings and practices | 1 hour 45 mins | 50%
    • Paper 2: thematic studies | 1 hr 45 mins | 50%
  • Non-examined assessment: 0%

Curriculum

Course content

The course has two key papers:

Paper 1: The study of religions – beliefs, teachings and practices

In this unit students study two religions in detail. The religions we focus on are Christianity and Islam. For each religion students examine:

  • key beliefs: the nature of God, creation, afterlife and the key figures within that faith
  • practices: worship and festivals, forms of worship, importance of prayer

Paper 2 –Thematic studies (moral issues)

In this unit students study four topics from the following:

  • Relationships and families: family life, contraception, marriage and divorce.
  • Religion and life: animal rights, abortion, creation.
  • Religion, peace and conflict: war and religious attitudes to war.
  • Religion, crime and punishment: religious attitudes to crime and punishments including the death penalty.
  • Religion and human rights.
  • The existence of God: examining the key arguments for and against God’s existence and his revelation to humanity.

Skills and requirements

Skills required

  • Literacy: the ability to read and write fluently.
  • Listening skills.
  • The ability to engage in group activity.
  • Oracy: the ability to discuss different opinions and values.
  • Presentational skills (spoken and written).

Beyond the classroom

Future pathways

As a result of developing key analytical and critical thinking skills, a GCSE in religious studies could lead to further post-16 study in this area and potential careers in:

  • law
  • nursing
  • politics
  • journalism
  • teaching
  • youth work
  • social work
  • the civil service

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