Religious Studies

Subject: Religious Studies GCSE (RE)

Syllabus Number: AQA GCSE (9-1), specification A

Teacher who leads the subject: Mrs C Duke

Why study RE

Studying GCSE RE helps you make sense of the world and the people around you. It introduces you to different religions, ethical issues, and philosophical questions, encouraging you to think deeply and form your own opinions. The subject builds essential skills such as critical thinking, empathy, debate, and ethical reasoning, all of which are useful far beyond the classroom. By exploring diverse beliefs and real-world moral challenges, GCSE RE prepares you to engage thoughtfully with society and to understand perspectives different from your own. RE is a great foundation for many career paths, such as medicine, journalism, law, social work, teaching, and much more.

You will:

 

  • deepen your knowledge and understanding of religions and worldviews, through a wide range of exciting lessons

  • become informed about common and different views within traditions and the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed

  • develop your ability to construct well-argued, balanced and structured arguments

  • engage with questions of belief, value, morality, purpose, truth; and their influence on human life

  • reflect on and develop your own values, beliefs and attitudes in the light of what you have learnt and prepare for life in a pluralistic society

 

Outline of GCSE syllabus content

The GCSE course specification in Religious Studies has two components:

1.  The Study of Religion, focusing on:

  • Christianity, as the first religion, with an option to indicate your preference on studying Buddhism, or Judaism, as the second religion.

2.  Religious, Philosophical and Ethical Studies, focusing on:

  • Relationships and Families

  • Religion and Life

  • Religion, Peace and Conflict

  • Religion, Crime and Punishment

 

Assessment

There will be two written examination papers, each lasting one hour and forty-five minutes.  The papers will be made up of compulsory questions focusing on knowledge, understanding and evaluation.


Additional information is available on the Curriculum Overview section of the website - click here