GCSE Religious Studies

Ms C Clayton - Curriculum Team Leader RE

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies Specification

Introduction

After developing core skills related to the subject in Key Stage 3, all students in Year 9 and Year 10 will follow the Edexcel B specification in Religious Studies, focusing on Christianity and Islam as the two religions of study. The curriculum model will follow the chronological sequence of the faiths, starting with Christianity in Year 9 and developing substantive knowledge through which to better recognise the significance of Muslim beliefs and attitudes in Year 10.

Students will apply the principles of belief and faith to a range of ethical and philosophical issues over the two-year course; including capital punishment, war, abortion, relationships and animal testing. It is the application and evaluation of beliefs and teachings to issues in the wider world which prepares students for the demands of A-Level study within the subject and across other subject areas.

We recognise the value in all students having the opportunity to sit the Religious Studies GCSE and enter all students for the public examination at the end of Year 10.

How is the course examined?

The course comprises 2 papers which will be sat at the end of Year 10. Each paper carries equal weighting and is allocated 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Paper 1 – Islam and Ethics

Muslim Beliefs

Marriage and Family

Living the Muslim Life

Matters of Life and Death

Paper 2 – Christianity Peace and Conflict

Christian Beliefs

Crime and Punishment

Living the Christian Life

Peace and Conflict

How is the course graded?

The course is graded with GCSE grades 1 to 9.

RE Termly Overview KS3 and KS4

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Equipment

Revise Edexcel GCSE 9-1 Religious Studies B Christianity and Islam ISBN 9781292148823 can be ordered via parent pay listed as the ‘purple revision guide’ from year 9 onwards.

Beliefs in Action text book can be accessed via the school’s online library the VLE through the school website.

Students also have access to Google Classrooms and a Google revision site which includes links to past papers.

Homework

Homework will be set in line with school policy with the emphasis on revision as we go through into year 10. Two mock exams will take place prior to the GCSE to bring to light any weaknesses and misconceptions.

Learning outside of the classroom

KS3 Religious Studies

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