Religious Studies GCSE

What is the main aim of the course?

Religious Studies GCSE challenges you with key questions about belief, purpose, meaning, values and truth. You don’t just learn facts; you develop your own ideas and attitudes toward both religious and secular issues that shape our world today. Our aim is for students to engage in discussion about life, ethics and spirituality in our diverse society. Students will be able to hold well-informed, far-reaching discussions in the classroom that will inform respectful conversations with anyone else they encounter.

Students will approach different ethical positions with an open mind, empathising with different perspectives and displaying the flexibility to reason from various viewpoints, using analytical and evaluative skills to produce compelling and convincing arguments.

What will you learn?

You will study Christianity and Islam, the two biggest religions in the world. By comparing their teachings, you will understand how these faiths impact the lives of billions of people in our world today.

But that’s just the beginning. You will also dive into the world of philosophy and ethics to explore sexuality, gender and the family unit, the ethics of war and pacifism, investigate punishment and the criminal justice system and drill down into human rights and social justice.

How is the course assessed?

There are two papers, both written exams, worth 50% each: Paper 1 is the study of religions and Paper 2 contains the philosophy and ethics questions.

How does this course connect to the world of work and allow students to reach ambitious destinations?

The course is designed to turn you into a powerful communicator and a sharp critical thinker. You will be able to hold well-informed discussions on complex topics, produce convincing arguments and understand different worldviews, which is an essential skill in our globalized economy.

Religious studies is a ‘heavyweight’ academic subject that provides a superb platform for A levels and degrees - particularly in humanities, law, politics and philosophy. Our former students have also used their religious studies skills to help them launch exciting careers in journalism, policing, teaching, the criminal justice system and the civil service.

Who do you need to contact if you have any further questions about this course?

Ms Barr: dbarr@srwa.co.uk.