Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies

Key subject aims

In Key stage 4 we aim to enable students to:

• adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion;
• explore religions and beliefs,
• reflect on fundamental questions, and engage with them intellectually and respond personally, enhance their spiritual and moral development, and contribute to their health and wellbeing
• enhance their personal, social and cultural development, their understanding of different cultures locally, nationally and in the wider world and contribute to social and community cohesion;
• develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, the study of religion and relate it to the wider world;
• reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in light of their learning.

Knowledge, skills and understanding

This Edexcel GCSE in Religious Studies requires students to:

• explore the significance and impact of beliefs, teachings, sources, practices, ways of life and forms of expressing meaning;
• express their personal responses and informed insights on fundamental questions and issues about identity, belonging, meaning, purpose, truth, values and commitments;
• adopt an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion;
• explore religions and beliefs, reflect on fundamental questions, and engage with them intellectually and respond personally;
• enhance their personal, social and cultural development;
• their understanding of different cultures locally, nationally and in the wider
• world, and contribute to social and community cohesion;
• develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the study of religion, and
• relate it to the wider world;
• reflect on and develop their own values, opinions and attitudes in light

            of their learning.

In Year 10, students study:

Unit 10 - Roman Catholic Christianity

• Beliefs and values

• Community and tradition

• Worship and celebration

• Living the Christian life

In Year 11, students study:

Unit 3 - Religion and Life Based on a Study of Roman Catholic Christianity

• Believing in God

• Matters of life and death

• Marriage and the family

• Religion and community cohesion

Assessment

Each unit is assessed through a one-and-a-half hour examination, divided into four sections.

Students choose one of two questions set for each section — four questions in total.

Each question is divided into four parts with each part increasing in difficulty.

Each unit gives 50% of the final GCSE mark.

Assessment Objectives

AO1: Describe, explain and analyse, using knowledge and understanding.

AO2: Use evidence and reasoned argument to express and evaluate personal responses, informed insights, and differing viewpoints.

AO1 requires informed insight and awareness of differing viewpoints, and

AO2 requires knowledge and understanding of the specification content.