Religious Education
Curriculum intent
To provide a Religious Education for all students that is majority Christian in nature, reflecting the diversity of faith within Birmingham, the United Kingdom and the world, and infused with respect and dignity for all. Our RE engages, motivates and inspires students whilst challenging them academically, ethically and philosophically enabling all student to flourish.
Curriculum implementation
In Religious Education we will use scripture, tradition, wisdom, testimony, scepticism and disagreement as sources in our study of religious belief and practice as we understand how different religions approach the puzzle of what it means to be human. We study how religions organise themselves into communities, where truths come from, how communication with divine and enlightened figures emerges and what this then means for modern issues of the day. We cannot possibly hope to give children an encyclopaedic knowledge of all faith and traditional across human history and the globe, but we can extend children’s knowledge of religious ideas, institutions and issues and enhance their awareness of the contested nature of some of the central concepts within religious debate (Hafez, 2021; inspired by Beck, 1996).
We recognise that religions can make competing truth claims and rather than reduce claims to a relativist whitewashing, we aim to understand religious traditions has having their own internal logic, language, iconography, rituals and practice. Our curriculum also acknowledges that religions are internally diverse, they evolve and change over time and religious influencers are embedded in cultures which enriches our study of belief and practice. Where we observe difference we see it not as a battleground with territory to be fought over but as a fertile ground for growth. Our knowledge rich approach respects Religious Education as its own academic discipline which sits at the interface between the sacred and the worldly.
Learning journey at KS3
You can download a copy of this curriculum overview using the link below:
CCSA Religious Education Learning Journey Key Stage 3
Note that requests for students to be wholly or partly excused from participating in any religious education / worship at the school should be made in writing to the headteacher.
KS4 Curriculum & Exam Information
Course Title : GCSE Religious Studies 8062A
Exam Board : AQA
Exam Board Website Link : AQA | Religious Studies | GCSE | GCSE Religious Studies
Specification :This course follows the AQA GCSE Religious Studies A specification, which provides a systematic and a thematic approach to studying Religious Studies. Topics include relationships and family dynamics, crime and how society deals with criminal behaviour, medical/ethical issues such as abortion, euthanasia and animal rights. It also examines the rights and wrongs of modern warfare.
Course Overview:
The AQA GCSE Religious Studies course is divided into two main sections. Students must take assessments in the following two components:
Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices:
Christianity
Islam
Component 2: Thematic studies:
Theme A: Relationships and families.
Theme B: Religion and life.
Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict.
Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment.
Why is Studying Religious Studies Important?
Religious Studies GCSE covers a range of the major world religions, contemporary ethical themes ensuring a diverse choice of intriguing subjects to explore.
Students will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling them to develop their own attitudes towards religious issues.
Students will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. They will also 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 further study.
How is the Course Examined?
The course is assessed through two exams:
Component 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practices
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
50% of GCSE
Each religion has a common structure of two five-part questions of 1, 2, 4, 5 and 12 marks.
Each religion is marked out of 48
Component 2: Thematic studies:
Written exam: 1 hour 45 minutes
96 marks, plus 3 marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG)
50% of GCSE
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.
Revision Guide Recommended
We recommend the following revision guides to support your studies:
CGP: AQA A GCSE (9–1) Religious Studies -Christianity & Islam
CGP: AQA A GCSE (9–1) Religious Studies -Christianity & Islam Revision Question Cards
Oxford Revise: AQA A GCSE Religious Studies – Christianity & Islam
These guides provide clear explanations, practice questions, and tips to help students prepare for their exams.
Future Careers
Studying Religious Studies opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Religious Studies graduates are in demand for their skills of analysis, evaluation, understanding and empathy, amongst others. Potential careers include:
Police
Law
Teaching
Social Work/Care work
Armed Forces
Medicine
Charity Sector
Religious Studies can also lead to careers in fields like journalism/T.V., PR/advertising, Government/politics thanks to the transferable skills it offers.
Learning journey at KS4
You can download a copy of this curriculum overview using the link below:
