Religious Studies
In Religious Studies students will follow the GCSE AQA Specification A8062, the study of religious beliefs, teachings and practices and the study of two religions, Christianity and Sikhism.
Religious, philosophical and ethical studies in the modern world. The four themes are:
Religion and life
Religion, peace and conflict
Religion, crime and punishment
Religion, human rights and social justice
HOW STUDENTS WILL STUDY
Religious Studies lessons will involve individual, pair and group activities, where students will be expected to participate fully so that they reach their full potential.
The topics encourage students to reflect upon religion, morality and life issues, such as the right to life, war and environmental issues. Students will be expected to be able to put forward their own well thought out opinions, with reasons and references to evidence and be able to examine religious viewpoints. They will develop skills in research, problem solving and an appreciation of human diversity, belief systems, cultural and spiritual experiences.
DEPARTMENT STRENGTHS AND RESOURCES
Religious Studies is taught by staff experienced in teaching Religious Studies at GCSE level, who will support all students, guiding them to reach their full potential. The department provides text books and resources to use in lessons, as well as information booklets and revision guides which can be used at home.
HOW STUDENTS WILL BE ASSESSED
There will be two written exams at the end of Year 11, both one hour and 45 minutes in length. Each exam is 50% of the final GCSE grade awarded to students. The first exam is based on the two religions studied and the second exam on the four chosen themes. Both exams are 96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, grammar and specialist terminology. There is no Non-Exam Assessment in this course.
PROGRESSION ROUTES
GCSE Religious Studies will enable students to learn how Religion, Philosophy and Ethics form the basis of world view and develop valuable skills to help prepare students for the opportunities and responsibilities of later life. It will develop skills that are useful in many careers, but especially those which include people of diverse faiths and cultures. This includes for example professions such as the Police, Teaching, Retail, the Law and the Caring professions. Highfields Sixth Form offers an A-Level Religious Studies course. This is the OCR Religious Studies course, based on the two areas of Religion, Philosophy of Religion and Ethics. The skills that students will learn in Philosophy and Ethics will be useful in any number of careers, such as Journalism, Teaching and the Civil Service to name a few. (The A-Level course can also complement A-Level course combinations, such as Law and Science). The course focuses on key skills of reflection and critical analysis, higher order skills sought after in undergraduates and employees.
More info:
Head of Department:
Mr M Winwood- Head of RE mwinwood@hswv.co.uk
Student Quote:
‘RE has let me listen to different points of view and it was interesting to listen to other people’s points of view.’
‘I have been able to learn about topics in depth and find out about different religious ideas that I didn’t know before.’