Religious Studies

During the course of Key Stage Three, students will explore what it means to be religious. We study Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism in year seven, which gives students an introduction to beliefs and practices. In year eight we discuss Ethics and Philosophy and the impact they have on beliefs about the world as well as Sikhism.

Acting Subject Leader

Mrs D Brown-Fyffe D-Brown-Fyffe@garthhillcollege.com

YEAR 7, 8 & 9 RELIGIOUS STUDIES (RS)

Content

We cover a wide range of topics in Years 7 and 8 to develop a deeper understanding of people, places, cultures, beliefs and the ways in which they interact to create the world we live in. We also cover some of the RS content in History and Geography lessons in Year 9. Topics include:

Introduction to Christianity
Introduction to Islam
Introduction to Buddhism
What is Ethics?
What is Philosophy?
What is Belief?
Hindu and Sikh Traditions
Environmental Ethics
Crime and Punishment

Assessment

Each unit is assessed by a written assignment and an exam. In addition. There is also an end of year examination. These assessment points provide evidence for the setting process and are used to help determine set moves.

Home Learning

Home learning will consist of at least one task per unit. We recommend that pupils spend at least 40 minutes per task and that they read around the topics at home. All lesson resources are available on Teams to aid them in this.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Encourage your child to ask teachers for help if there are any difficulties.
Encourage your child to be observant and take an interest in the world around them. This could include reading local and national newspapers and watching news programmes that frequently include geographical issues.
Encourage your child to make use of the College LRC, public libraries and computer resources if they are available at home.

Additional Support Available/Useful Links

Reading List

Newspapers/websites
Learning Resource Centre (LRC) periodicals
Student Common resource links

Assessment Framework - Key Stage 3

Assessment Framework

Knowledge Organisers

Introduction to Christianity - Year 7

Introduction to Islam - Year 7

What is Ethics - Year 8

What is Philosophy - Year 8

GCSE Religious Studies - Year 10 and 11

Exam Board and syllabus code

AQA Specification A (8062)

Content

Students must take assessments in the following two components in the same series:

Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices
Component 2: Thematic studies

Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices

What's assessed

Beliefs, teachings and practices of two from:

Buddhism
Christianity
Catholic Christianity
Hinduism
Islam
Judaism
Sikhism.

Christianity and Catholic Christianity is a prohibited combination.

How it's assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes

96 marks, plus 6 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
50% of GCSE

Component 2: Thematic studies

What's assessed

Either four religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes or two religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes and two textual studies themes.

Religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes:

Theme A: Relationships and families.
Theme B: Religion and life.
Theme C: The existence of God and revelation.
Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict.
Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment.
Theme F: Religion, human rights and social justice. Textual studies themes:
Theme G: St Mark's Gospel – the life of Jesus.
Theme H: St Mark's Gospel as a source of religious, moral and spiritual truths.

Assessment

How it's assessed

Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
50% of GCSE

Questions

Each theme has a common structure of one five-part question of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 marks.
Each theme is marked out of 24.

Home Learning

One hour per week, a variety of tasks including research, revision, exam questions and extension of classwork.

How Parents and Carers Can Support

Encourage your child to consider why they believe what they do and to try and engage with a range of other opinions that are different to theirs.

Additional Support Available/Useful Links

The BBC religion website offers a helpful introduction to a range of belief systems. The LRC has a number of resources and pupils are also welcome to borrow books from D107 and arrange extra tuition with the class teacher.

Reading List

News and current affairs will help pupils to think about ethical and moral issues. Oxford University Press offer a range of books called ‘A very short introduction to…’ that can give pupils a background in a number of areas.

Assessment Schedule

Religious Studies Assessment Overview - Year 10

Knowledge Organisers

Christianity - Beliefs - Teachings

What does it mean to be a Hindu

RIGHTS OF WITHDRAWAL - We understand that some parents/carers prefer to take the responsibility for aspects of this element of education. Parents/carers have the right to request that their child be withdrawn from all or part of the religious education curriculum and/or collective worship. From age 16, pupils can choose for themselves to opt out of collective worship if they wish. However, they cannot opt out of receiving religious education without parental consent until they are 18. Parents are encouraged to meet with the class teacher and an appropriate member of leadership at the earliest opportunity if they have any concerns or questions. This will present an opportunity for staff to answer any questions and explain materials used in lessons if requested. In the event of any parent or carer wishing to withdraw their child, they are asked to inform the Principal in writing. We would make alternative arrangements in such cases.